Gandhinagar LCB seizes SUV stocked with liquor worth ₹8 lakh, two arrested

Gujarat Police’s Local Crime Branch (LCB), Sector-28, Gandhinagar, on Thursday seized Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) worth ₹8.36 lakh after intercepting a Tata Harrier SUV with a fake registration number near Chiloda, officials said. Two persons were arrested in the operation, while a total of ₹23.62 lakh worth of liquor, vehicle and other valuables were confiscated.

According to police official, the interception took place in the Chiloda Police Station limits on the service road near the Dhanap village pattiya, along the Himmatnagar–Chiloda stretch of the National Highway. The LCB team stopped a white Tata Harrier bearing registration number GJ-18-BL-1077, which was found with a duplicate number plate.

Upon inspection, the police discovered 271 bottles of expensive IMFL concealed in the vehicle. Further verification revealed that the SUV’s original registration number was HR-98-U-3280. The seized liquor was valued at ₹8.36 lakh, while the vehicle was estimated to be worth ₹15 lakh. Mobile phones, cash and other items were also recovered.

Police said the team led by Inspector J J Gadhvi acted on specific intelligence while patrolling. A watch was laid near the under-construction flyover at Dhanap village, following inputs that a vehicle carrying liquor was moving from Himmatnagar towards Chiloda. The SUV was intercepted on the service road, leading to the seizure.

The arrested accused have been identified as Anmol Godara and Samdeep Godara, both residents of Shergarh village in Dabwali taluka of Sirsa district in Haryana. Police said efforts are under way to arrest other accused linked to the racket, including Jitendra of Karnal (the alleged contract owner), Jigneshbhai of Rajkot, Rajesh Mahendra Kumar and Hardevendra.

A prohibition case has been registered, and investigation is under way to trace the supply chain and identify other persons involved, police said.