Goa, June 7 -- In a major crackdown on illegal liquor smuggling, police in Maharashtra's Thane district have seized over 18,000 bottles of counterfeit Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) valued at more than Rs 45 lakh. The liquor was allegedly transported from Goa and repackaged in Thane for local sale. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Amarsingh Jadhav, said at a press conference that the Thane Crime Branch received a tip-off about a gang involved in transporting low-grade IMFL from Goa to Thane. Acting on the input, the police laid a trap on June 4.

"Around 8.30 pm, a transport vehicle was intercepted at the Govindwadi area in Dombivli. It was found to be carrying liquor ...