SMC officials seize liquor worth ₹92.69 lakh in Morbi

In a major operation to curb the illegal liquor trade, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) conducted a raid at Maliya Railway Crossing on the Maliya-Jamnagar Highway in Morbi district, seizing Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth an estimated ₹92.69 lakh. The operation, carried out between June 1 and 2, also resulted in the seizure of vehicles, covering materials, and cash, taking the total value of the confiscated items to ₹1.15 crore.

Acting on intelligence inputs, police officials intercepted a truck loaded with 7,213 IMFL bottles. The vehicle, valued at ₹20 lakh, was impounded, along with 200 bhusa bags used for concealing the contraband, worth ₹2.91 lakh. Additionally, ₹4,450 in cash and a mobile phone valued at ₹5,000 were recovered during the operation.

The Maliya-Miyana Police have registered a case under various sections of the Prohibition Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Act.

Two accused, identified as Bhavesh Natha Mori and Lila Tapu Mori, both residents of Dared village in Jamnagar, were arrested at the scene. Mori was allegedly driving the truck carrying the illicit liquor, while Lila Tapu Mori acted as the cleaner.

Meanwhile, seven other suspects remain at large. These include Arjan Aala Kodiyatar of Dwarka district, believed to be the main accused and recipient of the consignment, and Bharat alias Jigo Somabhai Kodiyatar of Timbdi village, who is reportedly an associate of Arjan. Police are also on the lookout for the owner of the truck, two unidentified men from Punjab who loaded the IMFL, and the main supplier from Punjab.

Officials have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused.