Gandhinagar crime branch unearths 5,200 litres of illegal liquor wash, bootlegger booked

In a major crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturing, the Local Crime Branch (LCB)-II of Gandhinagar District has seized 5,200 litres of country liquor wash concealed in 26 iron and plastic barrels buried underground near Ranasan village in the Dabhoda police station limits.

A teams led by LCB-II Police Inspector K.J. Rathod and other officers were deployed to monitor suspected offenders, gather intelligence through local informants and technical surveillance, and conduct regular checks in sensitive areas.

During prohibition enforcement duty in the Dabhoda area on Friday, police personnel received specific information that a resident of Ranasan village was allegedly engaged in the illegal production of country liquor by storing fermented wash used for distillation in barrels concealed near his residence.

Based on the tip-off, the LCB-II team conducted a raid at the identified location on the outskirts of Ranasan village. Although the suspect was not found at his residence, officers carried out a search of the surrounding area and allegedly discovered multiple barrels buried underground.

Police said a total of 26 iron and plastic barrels containing approximately 5,200 litres of liquor wash were recovered from the site. The seized material, valued at around ₹1.3 lakh, was confiscated and destroyed in accordance with prohibition procedures.

A case has been registered under the provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act against the accused, identified as Jaswant Dineshbhai Jhala, a resident of the area near Baliyadev Temple on the outskirts of Ranasan village.

Police said the accused is currently absconding and efforts are underway to trace and arrest him.