SURAT, Dec 28: During three separate raids carried out to curb the flow of liquor into the city in the past 24 hours, the prohibition police seized Indian-Made Foreign Liquor and molasses used in the production of country-made liquor. While five people were arrested in the connection, three others were declared absconders and wanted by the prohibition police.In the first raid, the prohibition police intercepted two trucks on the Sachin-Palsana highway and seized molasses worth Rs 1.95 lakhs. The second raid was conducted at Pinjrat village on the outskirts of the city, where 380 bottles of IMFL, worth Rs 93,000 was seized.
In the third raid, conducted on the highway beside Chhari village, the police seized another 430 bottles of IMFL worth Rs 87,000. The police also confiscated the two trucks worth Rs 7.15 lakhs used in transportation of liquor.
Superintendent of the striking force of the division Gajendrasinh Puwar said that while raids were intensified from the past fortnight, they would be continued until the new year. Besides the 200-odd prohibition policemen, who will be called to the city on New Year's eve, SRP and other personnel would also assist in the operations.
On the line of action the department intended to initiate, officials here said that they had already identified a dozen hotels in the city, that were known to be favourite spots for New Year's eve celebrations and served liquor. In addition, secret watch would be kept at all public places, party plots and residential areas, where police would raid on suspicion.
The officials claimed that they had a list of a number of liquor dens which were operating in the city and that raids were being conducted on these as well.
Besides the various check posts which have been set up on all entry points from Daman, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to check the flow of liquor into the city, the prohibition police was also intensifying night patrolling and intercepting vehicles on approach roads to the city.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.