Pune Police Deploy Drones In Mass Raids On Illicit Liquor Dens, 16 Booked
Pune Police Deploy Drones In Mass Raids On Illicit Liquor Dens, 16 Booked
Pune, August 16, 2025: Pune city police conducted large-scale raids on illicit liquor manufacturing units, locally known as “hathbhatti”, by using drones for aerial surveillance. The operation was carried out in the early hours of Saturday along the Bhima riverbed and adjoining hilly areas under Zone 4 jurisdiction.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Somay Munde, drones were deployed extensively to scan riverbeds, particularly in the Lonikand area, for identifying illegal liquor dens. Following the raids, 16 cases were registered against 16 individuals found operating these units.
The operation involved 23 police officers, 68 constables, and a mobile surveillance van (MSV) integrated with drones provided recently by the state government.
During the raids, police seized 318 liters of illicit “hathbhatti” liquor worth ₹31,630, 6.6 liters of country liquor worth ₹2,960, and chemicals valued at ₹36,735 used in brewing operations.
Police said the crackdown aims to curb the menace of illegal liquor production that not only causes revenue losses to the state but also poses serious health risks to consumers.
