Pune: In a pre-festivities crackdown, the Pune Regional Flying Squad of the State Excise Department seized foreign liquor valued at ₹76.55 lakhs in Mulshi taluka, near Adarwadi village on the Paud-Mangaon road.

The operation targeted a six-wheeler tempo vehicle loaded with contraband liquor, believed to be destined for illegal sale.

The seized contraband included 33,600 bottles, each with a capacity of 180 ml, (total 700 boxes) of Poland Pride Premium Collection Reserve Whisky, a brand manufactured in Goa and permitted for sale exclusively within that state.

Authorities discovered the liquor, valued at ₹76,55,500, packed in 700 boxes inside a brown Tata Motors tempo bearing the registration number MH-03-DV 3716. A mobile phone was also confiscated during the operation.

In connection with this crime, the vehicle driver, Zulfekar alias Zulfekar Taj Ali Chaudhary (50 years old), residing at House No. 204, Mohalla Nali Pada, Masuri Dasna R.S.G., Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on the spot.

A case has been registered against him under various sections of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act of 1949.

This action was carried out under the guidance of Sagar Dhomkar, Regional Deputy Commissioner of the State Excise Pune Division, and was led by Secondary Inspector Viraj Mane, along with officers Atul Patil, Dheeraj Saste, Pratap Kadam, Satish Ponde, Anil Thorat, Shashikant Bhat, Rahul Taralkar, and female officer Usha Ware.

Inspector Narendra Thorat of the Pune Regional Flying Squad stated that the further investigation is being conducted by Secondary Inspector Viraj Mane.