2 days ago
Pune police use drones to conduct 'mass raids' on illicit liquor dens
Pune city police identified illicit liquor dens or 'hathbhatti' units at river beds of the Bhima river, and carried out 'mass raids' on them in the early hours of Saturday.
Following the raids, police lodged as many as 16 offences against 16 persons who were found to be operating the 'hathbhatti' units, stated a press release issued by deputy commissioner of police (zone 4) Somay Munde.
Pune police use drones for 'mass raids' on illicit liquor dens in river bed
— Express Pune Resident Editor (@ExpressPune) August 16, 2025
The press release mentioned that 23 police officers, 68 constabulary and a mobile surveillance van (MSV) integrated with drone was used for carrying out the 'mass raids' on illicit liquor dens operating in the hilly region and river beds in the jurisdiction of zone 4 of Pune city police.
About 318 liters of 'hathbhatti' estimated at Rs 31630, along with 6.6 liters of country liquor worth Rs 2960 and chemicals of Rs 36,735 used for making illicit liquor, was seized during the raids, the press release stated.
DCP Munde said 'Drones were used extensively to scour the river bed particularly in Lonikand area for identifying the Hatbhatti spots'.
Pune Police recently received advanced mobile surveillance vans (MSVs) equipped with drone facilities from the state government.
