SURAT - The Surat police have unveiled an unprecedented liquor smuggling operation involving the misuse of emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks. Kadodara and Palsana police officers apprehended two individuals transporting foreign liquor worth Rs. 6 lakh, with two additional suspects still at large.
The daring, unconventional smuggling method using emergency vehicles has sparked public outrage and concern. Besides the two arrests, authorities have seized an ambulance and a fire vehicle as part of their ongoing investigation.
Acting on reliable tip-offs about ambulances from Maharashtra being used for smuggling liquor, Kadodara police initiated surveillance. They apprehended an ambulance and, upon inspection, found over Rs. 1 lakh worth of illicit liquor. Further investigations revealed a bootlegger was behind the procurement of the alcohol. Police have since arrested the ambulance driver and declared two more suspects wanted.
Similarly, Palsana police, while conducting vehicle inspections near Vanesha village, found 90 boxes of various brands of foreign liquor worth more than Rs. 5 lakh in a fire department vehicle. The incident came as a shock to the community and authorities.
District police voiced their concerns about the severe implications of these illegal activities, particularly the alarming new trend of smuggling liquor using emergency vehicles. "This is a serious matter. Some drivers are risking their lives for such illicit jobs," stated a district police representative. Investigations are currently underway to bring all perpetrators to justice.
