ZIRAKPUR – In a significant strike against the illicit liquor trade, a joint task force of the Punjab Excise Department and the Zirakpur Police neutralized a sophisticated counterfeiting unit operating out of a residential high-rise. The raid, conducted late Sunday night, led to the arrest of four individuals and the recovery of a massive cache of “premium” liquor, counterfeit seals, and weapons.
The Intelligence-Led Strike
Acting on a confidential tip-off regarding the manufacture of spurious spirits, the team—led by Excise Inspector Gurpreet Singh—targeted Flat No. SR-19 on the sixth floor of the FCCC Complex.
The unit was reportedly being used as a “bottling plant” where low-grade, cheap alcohol was decanted into empty bottles of world-renowned luxury brands. This “high-end” counterfeit stock was then supplied to local markets, banquet halls, and unsuspecting retailers at premium prices.
The Accused: A Haryana-Based Syndicate
All four suspects were residing in the rented flat to evade local detection. They have been identified as:
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Raj Kumar (Palwal, Haryana)
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Nishant (Palwal, Haryana)
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Aman (Faridabad, Haryana)
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Ashish (Mahendragarh, Haryana)
Inventory of Seized Contraband
Authorities recovered 85 bottles ready for sale, including some of the world’s most expensive labels. The presence of a firearm indicates the gang’s preparedness to protect their illegal enterprise.
| Category | Brands Seized |
| Scotch & Single Malt | Johnnie Walker Blue Label (9), Gold Label (15), Double Black (1), Glenlivet 15yr (8), Glenlivet 12yr (9), Chivas Regal 12yr (14), Glenfiddich. |
| Tequila & Spirits | Don Julio 1942 (1), 1800 Blanco (1), Silver Patron (1), Jagermeister (2). |
| Gins | Cambridge Gin (1), Rocco Gin (1). |
| Equipment | Two bags of counterfeit cap seals and professional packaging material. |
| Weapons | One revolver and two loaded magazines. |
A Public Health & Revenue Crisis
The Excise Department has raised an alarm over the health risks posed by such “spurious” liquor, which is often blended with chemicals to mimic the taste of aged spirits.
“This operation not only caused a massive revenue loss to the state exchequer but, more importantly, put human lives at risk,”said a senior official. “The use of fake seals makes it nearly impossible for a regular consumer to distinguish the product from the original until it’s too late.”
Next Steps in Investigation
The Zirakpur Police have registered a case under the Punjab Excise Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for fraud and illegal possession of weapons.
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Forensics: Samples of the recovered liquor have been sent for chemical analysis.
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Supply Chain: Investigators are now tracking the “empty bottle” supply chain to identify the scrap dealers or banquet staff who provided the original packaging to the mafia.
Advisory: Residents are urged to purchase liquor only from authorized government-licensed vends and to check for the QR-based track-and-trace holograms mandatory on all legal bottles in Punjab.
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