Pune: The Pune Division of the State Excise Department has uncovered a suspected inter-state racket involved in smuggling counterfeit and substandard liquor, especially whisky, which poses severe health hazards due to its toxic composition.
As per the information provided by health expert, warned that such spurious liquor often contains harmful chemicals like methanol—a substance so toxic that just 10 ml can cause blindness and larger doses can be fatal. The expert further noted that counterfeiters sometimes use other dangerous substances such as propanol and acetone, which can cause intoxication and a host of health complications.
Charan Singh Rajput, District Superintendent of the State Excise Department, revealed that the accused typically collect empty scotch bottles from scrap vendors. These bottles are then refilled with Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), mixed with colouring agents, glucose powder, and artificial essence to mimic the appearance and taste of branded alcohol.
“The fake whisky is often laced with chemicals and sweeteners to replicate the original flavour. In some extreme cases, substances found in cleaning agents or even fuels are added,” Rajput said.
The illicit liquor is primarily smuggled from Goa—where alcohol is much cheaper due to lower taxation—into Maharashtra and Gujarat. This not only poses health threats but also leads to massive tax revenue losses for Maharashtra.
Last Saturday, officials intercepted a truck on the Pune-Mumbai highway near Pimpri-Chinchwad. The vehicle, arriving from Goa, was found carrying 305 boxes of whisky without proper documentation. The liquor, valued at ₹24.88 lakh, and the vehicle itself, worth ₹27.40 lakh, were seized on the spot.
This incident marks the 13th seizure of Goa-made liquor in the region this year. Investigations have consistently pointed to an organized inter-state smuggling network. Rajput confirmed, “The primary goal of these smugglers is to evade taxes. Many of the bottles lack crucial identifiers like batch numbers or the name of the manufacturing company, making them both suspicious and hazardous.”
Laboratory testing of seized samples often only confirms the alcohol content, without revealing much about the exact composition or origin. The absence of registration numbers for the manufacturers adds to the difficulty in tracking the source.
Over the past year, 13 cases have been registered, leading to the arrest of 24 individuals and the seizure of smuggled liquor worth ₹3.67 crore. Rajput noted that whisky remains the most frequently trafficked product. Authorities have also used mobile data and banking records to uncover further links within the smuggling chain.
“Interestingly, many of the accused in these separate cases appear to be working under a single organised network,” Rajput said.
The recent operation was led under the supervision of Commissioner Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh and senior officials, including Joint Commissioner P.P. Surve, Divisional Deputy Commissioner Sagar Dhomkar, and Superintendent Rajput himself.
In the latest case, Vishal Suklal Varade (31), a resident of Bhusawal in Jalgaon, was arrested with the contraband and the truck. The operation was conducted by Inspector Sanjay K. Kolhe, Sub-Inspector Abhay A. Aute, and officers B.G. Redekar, Ganesh Pathare, Pramod Palve, Vijay Ghandure, Amol Kamble, and constable Priya Chandanshive. Sub-Inspector Aute is currently overseeing the ongoing investigation.
The State Excise Department has urged citizens to come forward with any information about the manufacture, sale, or transport of illegal liquor. Reports can be made via the local office at 020-2612-7321, the toll-free number 1800-233-9999, or WhatsApp at 8422001133.
