India, July 21 -- In a major crackdown on illegal liquor smuggling, the State Excise Department in Pune has seized Goa-manufactured liquor worth over Rs.31.56 lakh and arrested five suspects involved in transporting it into Maharashtra.

Acting on a tip-off, the operation was carried out on July 18 near the Patas Toll Naka in Daund taluka.

During the inspection, the team intercepted two suspicious vehicles, a silver four-wheeler and another car, and found 300 bottles (750 ml each) of Goa-manufactured liquor. The liquor was being smuggled into the Pune district in violation of state excise regulations. During the raid, the police arrested Santosh Markad and Vaibhav Tarange.

During further interrogation, police raided Markad's home and se...