Ahmedabad: The prevention of crime branch (PCB) on Sunday intercepted a Himachal Pradesh-registered truck on SP Ring Road near Aslali Circle and seized Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 63.86 lakh that was being ferried under the cover of a helmet consignment. The driver was arrested, and further investigation is on to trace the bootlegging network.The truck was stopped in the Narol police station area, ahead of Aslali Circle, following a specific tip-off that a consignment carrying liquor was moving from Chandigarh to Junagadh. On questioning, the driver claimed the vehicle was transporting helmets. However, a detailed check revealed liquor cartons concealed among boxes of helmets.Police identified the driver as Joni Baldevsingh Chandel (38), a resident of Hawani village, Sarkaghat taluka, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. During the search, PCB officers recovered 10,749 bottles of IMFL valued at Rs 63,86,608. The truck was also carrying 1,053 helmets worth Rs 5.25 lakh, allegedly used as camouflage. In addition, officers seized the HP-registered truck, a mobile phone, and Rs 3,130 in cash. The total value of the seized property was estimated at Rs 84.25 lakh.Preliminary inquiries suggest the consignment originated from Chandigarh and was meant to be delivered in Junagadh. “Liquor was dispatched by Dileram Shersingh, a resident of Sarkaghat in Himachal Pradesh,” said a police officer. PCB officials registered an offence at Narol police station against the driver, the alleged supplier, and unidentified bootleggers from Junagadh under the Prohibition Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further probes are underway to identify other links in the supply chain and determine whether similar consignments previously passed through the route.
