THANE: Thane’s excise department busted a liquor adulteration racket and seized illegal Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) stock and equipment worth ₹61.46 lakh during raids in Mira Road and Bhiwandi on Tuesday. The operation uncovered a liquor bottling setup using fake caps and machinery, leading to the arrest of key accused involved in the illicit trade.
Acting on a reliable tip-off, the excise team raided a location near Hotel PM Palace, Penkarpada, Mira Road East, on Tuesday, where they found Ramkesh Sitaram Gupta in possession of IMFL valued at ₹1,25,470. During interrogation, Gupta revealed that he regularly received stock from an unidentified supplier and expected the next consignment on Friday.
Following the lead, officials set up a trap near Chetan Wine Shop, Jangir Circle, Srishti Road. Later that day, a tempo arrived and delivered two boxes of the Royal Challenge and DSP Black (180ml) to Gupta.
