Excise Dept busts Rs 47 lakh interstate liquor racket in Thane; main accused in custody

• Maharashtra Excise Department dismantled a major interstate illicit liquor racket in Thane district.
• Contraband worth Rs 32 lakh and vehicles valued at Rs 15 lakh, totaling Rs 47 lakh, were seized in multiple raids over four days.
• Raids included Bhiwandi (March 10), Chavdar Pada, Kongaon (uncovering a refilling operation), and a Vaijula farmhouse (March 12) where Goa-only whiskey was found.
• Superintendent Pravin Tambe confirmed the seizure of 10 jars, 2,000 whiskey bottles, and 240 boxes of Goa-specific whiskey.
• Primary accused Soma Krishna Jadhav is in judicial custody; three associates received notices under BNSS, 2023.