Ahmedabad Liquor Racket Busted: 2,736 Bottles Smuggled in Cardboard Boxes Hidden Among Old Clothes, Three Arrested

Ahmedabad’s Krishnanagar police have busted an alleged foreign liquor smuggling racket, arresting three people and seizing 2,736 liquor bottles worth ₹ 6.33 lakh concealed in cardboard boxes filled with old clothes.

The total value of the seized goods, including three two-wheelers and four mobile phones, stands at ₹ 7.78 lakh. Police have also named two other accused as wanted in connection with the case, including a liquor supplier from Rajasthan and the alleged recipient of the consignment.

Liquor Hidden Among Old Clothes in Housing Board House

Acting on a tip-off, Krishnanagar police raided a house in the Gujarat Housing Board colony after receiving information that Nishit alias Nishu Hiteshbhai Shah was procuring foreign liquor from outside Gujarat through a courier service.

According to the police, Shah allegedly concealed the liquor among old clothes, stored the stock inside his house and in the common gallery, and distributed it to customers using two-wheelers.

Police apprehended Shah near the building with his electric scooter. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of liquor bottles, prompting officers to search his second-floor residence.

During the search, police found cardboard boxes sealed with adhesive tape in the room and common gallery. The boxes contained sealed bottles of foreign liquor alongside old clothes, plastic bags, scissors and a knife without a handle.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 2,736 quarter-sized bottles of foreign liquor valued at ₹ 6.33 lakh.

Rajasthan Supplier Allegedly Sent Consignment Through Courier

During questioning, Shah allegedly told investigators that the liquor had been ordered from Omprakash Bishnoi, a resident of Sanchore in Rajasthan, and delivered through a courier service.

Police suspect the consignment was intended for distribution among retail customers in Ahmedabad. Harish Makwana, a resident of the Vijay Mill area, was identified as the alleged recipient of the stock.

Investigators are pursuing both Bishnoi and Makwana as part of the ongoing case. Police are also examining the alleged supply and distribution network, including the use of two-wheelers to deliver liquor across the city.

Three Accused Arrested, Two Declared Wanted

The three people arrested in connection with the seizure are:

• Nishit alias Nishu Hiteshbhai Shah, 29: A resident of the Gujarat Housing Board colony in Krishnanagar.
• Jay alias Dadu Gorakhbhai Pawar, 26: A resident of the Gujarat Housing Board colony in Krishnanagar.
• Kishan Yogeshbhai Shah, 29: A resident of Lalkrishna Apartment, behind D-Mart in Nikol.

The two accused declared wanted are:

• Omprakash Bishnoi: A resident of Sanchore, Rajasthan, and the alleged liquor supplier.
• Harish Makwana: A resident of Vijay Mill, identified as the alleged recipient of the consignment.

Seized Goods Valued at ₹ 7.78 Lakh

The seizure includes foreign liquor worth ₹ 6.33 lakh, three two-wheelers and four mobile phones, taking the total estimated value of the confiscated goods to ₹ 7.78 lakh.

The case has drawn attention to the alleged use of courier services and ordinary household items to conceal illicit liquor consignments. Police are continuing their investigation to trace the supply chain, establish the roles of the accused and locate the two wanted suspects.