Pimpri Chinchwad Police Crack Down on Illegal Liquor Network

Pimpri Chinchwad: In the wake of the deadly Fugawadi toxic liquor tragedy that claimed 14 lives, Pimpri Chinchwad Police have launched an aggressive citywide crackdown on illegal liquor operations. Over the past two days, joint police teams conducted coordinated raids at nearly 50 locations, targeting illicit liquor dens, toddy centers, and illegal country liquor manufacturing units across the city.

The large-scale operation comes amid growing public outrage and serious questions over the functioning of enforcement agencies following the tragedy. Taking immediate cognizance of the incident, Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey convened an emergency review meeting and directed officers to initiate stringent action against all forms of illegal liquor trade operating within city limits.

Following these directives, Deputy Commissioners of Police, Senior Police Inspectors, and Crime Branch teams were instructed to identify illegal liquor hotspots and carry out intensive enforcement drives. Special attention was focused on slum settlements, riverbank areas, open spaces, industrial zones, and other locations historically linked to unlawful liquor activities.

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During the raids, police reportedly seized drums, chemicals, raw materials, illicitly brewed liquor, and equipment used in the manufacturing process. Several suspected liquor production and distribution points were dismantled as part of the operation.

Authorities also inspected toddy centers to verify compliance with licensing conditions. Action was taken against establishments found violating regulations, breaching permit conditions, or engaging in suspicious activities.

Simultaneously, the State Excise Department has intensified its independent enforcement campaign across Pimpri Chinchwad, Bhosari, Chikhali, Dapodi, Fugawadi, and adjoining areas. Excise teams are conducting inspections at suspected brewing sites and gathering intelligence to uncover the wider network involved in the illegal liquor trade.

The Fugawadi tragedy has once again exposed the deep-rooted challenge posed by illegal liquor networks operating in vulnerable pockets of the city. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns regarding the unchecked sale and production of illicit liquor in slum clusters, riverbank settlements, and densely populated localities.

What sets the current operation apart is the coordinated and large-scale approach adopted by law enforcement agencies. Rather than limiting action to small-time vendors, investigators are now attempting to trace the entire supply chain, including manufacturers, suppliers, stockists, transporters, and key operators behind the network.

Police stations across the city have been directed to prepare detailed lists of suspected illegal liquor hubs, with officials indicating that the enforcement campaign is likely to intensify further in the coming days.

The ongoing crackdown has reportedly created panic among those involved in the illicit liquor trade, with several illegal establishments allegedly shutting down operations following the raids. Citizens are now closely watching whether this enforcement drive evolves into a sustained campaign capable of permanently dismantling the city’s illegal liquor ecosystem.