Daijiworld Media Network - Latur

Latur, Nov 3: The Maharashtra Excise Department has seized illicit liquor and other materials worth Rs 19.77 lakh in two raids conducted in Latur district, uncovering stocks of Goa-manufactured liquor allegedly intended for illegal sale in Maharashtra.

During the first raid on October 30 at Sadguru Nagar on Malwati Road, excise officials seized 1,152 sealed plastic bottles of Goa-made liquor and 125 bottles of spurious liquor carrying different brand labels. They also recovered 5,650 counterfeit caps bearing the names of various liquor brands, a four-wheeler allegedly used to transport the liquor and two mobile phones, an official said on Monday.

A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act against the alleged owners of the liquor stock and the premises.

Acting on information obtained while questioning the accused, excise officials conducted a second raid on Sunday at a house in Anand Nagar. During the operation, they recovered another 276 sealed bottles of Goa-manufactured liquor. A separate case has been registered against the house owner, the official said.

The department has appealed to the public to purchase liquor only from licensed outlets and report any information about illegal liquor manufacturing, transportation or sale through its helpline numbers.