Gujarat Police have busted a suspected fake liquor manufacturing unit in Kutch and seized thousands of empty and filled bottles, days after a hooch tragedy in Bhavnagar claimed 13 lives.
Police said the raid was carried out at a makeshift factory in Adipur, Kutch, where officers recovered around 9,400 empty bottles, 600 bottles filled with 180 ml liquor and nearly 600 litres of chemicals.
The seized bottles reportedly carried the label of a popular Indian-made foreign liquor brand.
Three people have been detained in connection with the case, while further investigation is underway.
Two accused identified in Kutch fake liquor case
Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Chirag Koradiya, said the operation led to the detention of two accused identified as Hitesh Bamaniya, a Mumbai resident, and Vijendra Jat from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
Police are investigating whether the Kutch operation has any direct or indirect connection to the wider network involved in the supply and manufacture of spurious liquor in Gujarat.
The seizure comes amid an expanded investigation by the Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell into the Bhavnagar hooch tragedy.
Bhavnagar hooch tragedy killed 13 people
The Bhavnagar tragedy began after people consumed suspected spurious liquor allegedly containing methanol, a highly toxic chemical that can cause severe poisoning and death.
Officials said 67 people had consumed the contaminated liquor, which was allegedly packed in bottles carrying the name of a popular IMFL brand.
At least 13 people died in the incident, while Gujarat Police have arrested 27 people so far as part of the investigation.
The State Monitoring Cell is now examining the source of methanol and other chemicals used in the suspected manufacture of the spurious liquor.
Police widen probe into fake liquor supply chain
Investigators are tracing the complete supply chain behind the illegal liquor operation, including the procurement of raw materials, transportation networks and individuals involved in manufacturing and distributing fake alcohol.
The Kutch factory seizure could provide investigators with fresh leads into the broader network operating across the state and potentially beyond Gujarat.
Gujarat is a dry state, where the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol are generally prohibited under state law. Despite the prohibition, police regularly uncover illegal networks involved in the production and transportation of illicit and spurious liquor.
The latest raid in Kutch has widened the investigation following the Bhavnagar hooch tragedy, with authorities now focusing on the possible links between fake liquor manufacturing units, chemical suppliers, transporters and distribution networks.
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