In Dharavi, the state excise agency uncovered a liquor duplication scheme that made and marketed counterfeit Scotch and Johnnie Walker whisky in bottles with upscale international names. Bottles of alcohol, multiple empty bottles of different international brands, fake labels, and other items meant to resemble genuine packaging totaling Rs 5 lakhs were confiscated by police, reported TOI.
A squad led by Inspector Riyaz Khan and Santosh Shivpurkar reacted to a tip by raiding a room in Shivshakti Nagar Chawl, Sant Kakaiyya Marg, Dharavi, where they discovered a young man replenishing empty bottles of high-end Scotch whisky brands with alcohol that was made locally. When asked, he revealed that he was 23-year-old Aniket Dilip Kashid, who lived in the same area. They took Kashid into custody, reported TOI.
Four sealed bottles of Johnnie Walker Double Black and Red Label Scotch (1000 ml each) were found in a blue plastic bag that was confiscated by police. Additionally, several empty bottles of other foreign brands, fake labels, and other materials designed to resemble genuine packaging totaling Rs 4.32 lakhs were found.
Kashid acknowledged that he was in charge of the operation and that he obtained empty bottles, labels, and other supplies from Mahendra Pralhad Vaghela, who lived in Anna Nagar on Kumbharwada Road. His Redmi cell phone, which had Vaghela's number and other suspicious numbers being looked into, was also seized by the police.
The report further stated that the authorities went to a room in Lakshmi Chawl, Anna Nagar, connected to Vaghela after Kashid's confession was recorded. 33 sealed bottles of top Scotch brands, as well as sacks of empty bottles, labels, and packaging materials totaling Rs 3,77,900, were discovered in the room when they opened it. The total value of the items seized in this raid was worth Rs 4.32 lakhs. Vaghela, who was found to be the main source of packaging and raw materials for the fake liquor, is absconding. To arrest him, police have started a manhunt.
Kashid was charged with non-bailable offences under Sections 65(d), (e), (f), 81, and 83 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. In order to track Vaghela, examine confiscated mobile data, and monitor illegal financial activities connected to the phoney spirits sales, authorities are requesting an extension of his custody. According to the authorities, the scheme caused the Maharashtra government to lose a substantial amount of tax money in addition to posing major health hazards to users.