In 'dry' Ahmedabad, liquor-making factory busted in Fatehwadi

The Sarkhej police on Sunday night busted an illicit liquor-manufacturing unit operating out of the Fatehwadi canal area on the city’s outskirts.

During the raid, police recovered over 300 litres of raw material, including flavour essence, an alcohol meter, and nearly 2,000 empty bottles allegedly meant for bottling counterfeit liquor. The total seizure is valued at around ₹50,000, officials said.

According to investigators, the mini factory was being operated from a rented house. When the police team arrived at the scene, they found the house locked. With the landlord's assistance, officers entered the premises and seized the stock.

The accused, who had allegedly taken the house on rent specifically to run the illegal business, is currently absconding. Police have launched a search to track him down.

Sarkhej Police Inspector S A Gohil said, “The accused is wanted in the case. Preliminary investigation shows that he was manufacturing spurious English liquor using chemicals and packing it in bottles. We are verifying if the supply chain extends beyond Ahmedabad.”

We have identified the accused, and will nab him soon. The action is part of an ongoing crackdown on the illicit liquor trade in Gujarat, where prohibition has been in force for decades.