Against the backdrop of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections and ahead of Republic Day 2026, the Kagal State Excise Department in Kolhapur has dealt a major blow to liquor smugglers. Officials said raids were conducted on two illegal units in Goa that were manufacturing country liquor using counterfeit Maharashtra labels, exposing a large interstate spurious liquor network. During the operation, liquor and allied materials worth nearly Rs 1.32 crore were sealed. The action is being seen as a significant step to curb illegal liquor circulation during the sensitive election and festive period, officials said.
This crackdown is considered one of the most extensive actions taken so far by the Maharashtra State Excise Department against the fake production of the country liquor brand “Santra” in Goa, reported Mid Day. For a detailed investigation, Kagal Excise Inspector Shankar Amberkar personally visited Goa and supervised the probe. During the operation, two firms involved in producing labels, bottle caps and boxes for spurious liquor were sealed. Additionally, two companies named “Cans” and “Vijaya,” allegedly engaged in fake labelling and packaging meant for Maharashtra, were also sealed after obtaining permission from the State Excise Commissioner, sources said.
Officials further revealed that a conveyor belt used for manufacturing fake bottle caps was seized during the raids, reported Mid Day, citing sources. The belt, along with caps, labels, boxes and other materials linked to the offence, was allegedly being used to supply components from Goa to Maharashtra. While direct entry into another state to seal factories is usually avoided, authorities completed all legal formalities before taking action. Inspector Amberkar’s visit to Goa and the decisive steps taken there have also drawn attention from the local media in the neighbouring state, officials noted.
The operation is being described as the most decisive action ever undertaken by the Kolhapur division. For the current financial year, the State Excise Department has set a revenue target of Rs 40,000 crore. Officials said the smuggling of liquor with fake Maharashtra labels from Goa could have caused revenue losses amounting to several crores. The action was carried out under orders of State Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh and Kolhapur Divisional Deputy Commissioner Vijay Chinchalkar, with further investigation now being led by Inspector Shankar Amberkar.