The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) of Gujarat has reported a significant increase in alcohol seizures this year, with the total value of seized liquor reaching Rs 17.86 crore until November. This figure is nearly double the Rs 10.4 crore worth of alcohol seized in 2022.
Ahmedabad has emerged as the leading city in terms of the number of raids carried out by the SMC.
Despite the prohibition in place, the SMC’s operations have revealed the extent of bootlegging in Gujarat. In 2022, the SMC registered 440 prohibition-related cases, seizing alcohol worth Rs 10.4 crore and goods totaling Rs 20.06 crore.
In contrast, until November 2023, the SMC registered 419 prohibition cases and seized liquor valued at Rs 17.86 crore and goods worth Rs 35.76 crore.
Ahmedabad has dominated the SMC’s operations this year, surpassing the efforts of the Prevention of Crime Branch (PCB), also known as the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner’s Squad. The SMC registered 65 prohibition cases in Ahmedabad, seizing liquor worth Rs 93.49 lakh and goods valued at Rs 2.77 crore.
This exceeds the PCB’s 129 cases, which resulted in the seizure of liquor worth Rs 51.20 lakh and goods worth Rs 1.70 crore.
As citizens prepare to welcome the New Year, the city police have devised a special plan to maintain vigilance. This includes special patrolling and security at popular hangout spots such as Sabarmati Riverfront, CG Road, SG Highway, and Sindhu Bhavan Road.
Traffic police equipped with 197 breath analyzers will be stationed at various locations, as drink-and-drive cases tend to rise substantially on New Year’s Eve. A reward of Rs 200 has been announced for policemen who file cases of drink and drive against offenders. Following the announcement of this prize, police have registered more than 89 cases of drink-and-drive in just three days.
