Nagpur: Acting on a tip-off, the Crime Branch Unit 3 of Nagpur Police arrested two individuals involved in the illegal transportation of foreign liquor near Sai Mandir Chowk in Jaripatka on Tuesday, January 28. Cops seized a Tata Punch vehicle and foreign liquor worth ₹6,53,280 during the operation.

Cops intercepted a grey Tata Punch (MH-32-AS-9985) and detained the driver and passenger, identified as Amar Ashokrao Sunke (33) from Hinganghat, Wardha and Rakesh Shankarsingh Chandel (25) from Hinganghat, Wardha.

Upon inspection, officers found a box containing 48 bottles of OC Blue (180ml each) and five boxes of Royal Stag whiskey with a similar count per box.

During questioning, the suspects revealed that they were employed by Avinath Navarkhede from Hinganghat for ₹10,000 per month. Navarkhede had provided them with the vehicle and instructed them to transport the liquor from Oka Bar and Restaurant on Kamptee Road, Nagpur.

The seized items, including six boxes of liquor and the vehicle, were valued at ₹6.53 lakh. Police registered a case against the suspects, Avinath Navarkhede, and the owner of Oka Bar and Restaurant under Section 65(A) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.

The accused and seized items were handed over to the Jaripatka Police Station for further investigation.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint Commissioner of Police Nisar Tamboli, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Rahul Makanikar. Inspector Mukund Thakre, Sub-Inspector Navnath Devkate, and other officials, including Ishwar Khorade, Mukesh Raut, Amol Jasud, and Anup Taywade, were part of the successful team.