Goa, July 14 -- In a significant crackdown on illegal liquor transportation, the Pune excise department on Friday seized 1,204 boxes of Royal Blue Malt whisky, smuggled from Goa. The operation took place near Veer Phata along the Jejuri-Saswad road, following a tip-off that led authorities to intercept a container truck.

Upon inspection, officials found 57,792 bottles of 180 ml whisky concealed inside the truck. The total haul-including the liquor, the vehicle, and a mobile phone-was valued at approximately Rs.1.33 crore.

The driver, identified as Dharman Sarang, a resident of Rajasthan, was arrested on the spot. He has been charged under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, and remanded to five days of police custody. According to of...