However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (prohibition and excise) N D Solanki admits that liquor still flows into the city. ``This is a menace that cannot be stopped overnight, especially in Surat city and Valsad district'', he says, adding that the liquor mafia, though, had been considerably subdued.

While the commissionerate does not have a problem with manpower, Solanki feels the need for ``dedicated, result-oriented policemen''.

Another official, talking to Express Newsline on condition of anonymity, seemed to confirm that by confiding, ``It is the police force that has lost out the most following the formation of the commissionerate'', apparently referring to the money that changed hands.