Pune: Loni Kalbhor Police seize pickup carrying 2,100 litres of illegal liquor on Theur–Kolavadi road

Police in Loni Kalbhor intercepted a pickup truck transporting 2,100 litres of illegal liquor, seizing goods worth about ₹10 lakh.

10 November 2025, Loni Kalbhor – A major crackdown on illicit liquor trade unfolded on the Theur–Kolavadi road when Loni Kalbhor Police intercepted a pickup truck transporting a large quantity of illegal liquor. The action took place around 1.30 in the afternoon near the Theur cremation ground corner, after police received a tip-off about suspicious movement of a vehicle believed to be carrying contraband. When officers signalled the pickup to stop, the driver allegedly tried to escape, prompting the police to chase and detain the vehicle.

Once the truck was searched, the initial layer of fodder sacks raised suspicion. Officers dug deeper into the stacked material and uncovered 60 large cans, each with a capacity of 35 litres. The total quantity of illegal liquor hidden inside the vehicle amounted to 2,100 litres. The seized liquor alone is valued at around ₹2.10 lakh, while the pickup and associated materials pushed the total seizure amount close to ₹10.10 lakh. The accused has been identified as 29-year-old Somnath Suresh Rakhpasare, a resident of Dahitne village in Daund taluka. Police sources say the vehicle was likely part of a larger supply chain transporting handmade country liquor across rural pockets of the district.

Officers involved in the operation said the smugglers attempted to disguise the cargo under what appeared to be ordinary fodder sacks to avoid suspicion. Such smuggling techniques have been increasingly used in the region, especially on quieter roads that connect interior villages. Theur–Kolavadi road has recently been on the police radar due to repeated reports of illicit transport activity, and this interception is being seen as a major breakthrough in tightening enforcement. Police have registered a case under Section 65(k) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act and further investigation is underway. Officers are probing whether Rakhpasare is part of a bigger network and whether similar consignments have passed through the same route earlier.

Local residents have welcomed the firm action, saying illegal liquor networks often create safety issues, encourage addiction in rural areas and lead to fights, financial strain and health risks. Community leaders in the Theur region said the police response shows that strict monitoring can reduce smuggling activities on interior routes. Investigators are expected to track the source of the liquor, identify the storage points and confirm whether the seized consignment was meant for distribution in nearby villages or for transport toward urban centres. Police teams may also conduct more targeted checks along connected routes to ensure the crackdown continues.

As the case progresses, enforcement authorities are emphasising that intelligence-based operations like this are essential to curb illicit liquor movement, which remains a persistent problem in several parts of Maharashtra. With more patrols planned during the festive season, officials believe such proactive action could prevent major illegal consignments from entering the market. For now, the seizure has become one of the largest recent catches by Loni Kalbhor Police and has drawn attention to the increasing need for sustained vigilance along rural transport corridors.

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