IMFL worth ₹78 lakh seized from field in Botad, 7 accused at large

In a major crackdown on the illegal liquor trade, a team of the State Monitoring Cell (SMC), carried out a raid in the open fields near Raypar village, under the jurisdiction of Gadhada police station in Botad district. The two-day operation, conducted on April 23 and 24, led to the seizure of a massive consignment of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), along with vehicles used for transportation.

Acting on specific intelligence, the police raided an open area in the Raypar Gam region and recovered 14,565 bottles of IMFL, valued at ₹78.45 lakh. In addition, four vehicles believed to have been used in the smuggling operation, including a truck and three pickup vans were seized. The total value of the seized goods (mudamal) stands at ₹1.02 crore.

The primary accused in the case is Vijay Ravubhai Boricha, a resident of Raypar village, who is a listed bootlegger. He is believed to be the main recipient of the IMFL consignment. Also wanted is Kursinh, a resident of Basvada in Rajasthan, suspected to be the supplier. Police have also booked the unknown drivers and owners of the following vehicles involved in the smuggling operation

Additionally, several unidentified labourers reportedly fled the spot during the raid.

Offences have been registered under multiple sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police have launched a manhunt for all seven accused and are continuing investigations to trace the wider network behind the operation.