a day ago
Inside Jamnagar's liquor den: Water tank becomes makeshift booze plant to produce fake IMFL; 6 held
RAJKOT: Jamnagar police busted an illicit liquor manufacturing unit on the outskirts of the city and seized approximately 700 litres of duplicate Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) along with the raw materials used in its production.
The liquor was being produced in a water tank.
Acting on a tip-off, police raided the factory located in Navy Moda village, near Jamnagar and arrested six individuals.
According to the police, the illegal operation was a joint venture led by local residents Hardipsinh alias Lalo Jadeja and Shrirajsinh alias Siddhrajsinh Jadeja.
They were allegedly collaborating with Arjunsinh Sodha, Suryapratapsinh Rathod, Saitansinh Rathod, and Savarlal Mevala, all hailing from Rajasthan.
'These individuals were producing spurious liquor in a water tank by mixing alcohol spirit, chemicals, and coloured liquids to replicate the taste and appearance of genuine IMFL,' said a police officer involved in the raid. The accused were also creating fake labels of branded liquor, using caps to seal the bottles and pouches, and employing equipment like beakers and an alcohol meter to measure and mix the concoction.
The counterfeit liquor was being distributed within Jamnagar city.
This operation came to light after police intercepted three individuals near Dhorl with a consignment of illegal liquor. During interrogation, the accused revealed that they sourced the liquor from Siddhrajsinh Jadeja, which led to the discovery of the hidden factory.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are probing whether the liquor was being supplied to other districts as well.
In the raid, the police seized:
- 600 litres of loose liquor worth Rs 2.40 lakh
- Over 1,000 liquor bottles
- Various chemicals and food colourants used in manufacturing
- Caps and plastic pouches (1-litre capacity)
- Packaging boxes used for storage and transport
- Beakers, an alcohol level meter, and
- Three machines used for sealing bottles
