23-Year-Old Held with 3,000 Quarters of Illicit Liquor in Delhi

New Delhi: The Delhi Police Special Staff of the West District has arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly transporting illicit liquor from Sonipat in Haryana to various parts of Delhi. The accused, identified as Saurabh Gupta, a resident of Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, was intercepted on the Outer Ring Road in Tilak Nagar on Saturday night.

Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team laid a trap on the service road near Pillar Number 26 and the CRPF Camp Wall in Tilak Nagar. The team stopped a white Hyundai i10 Grand coming from the Peeragarhi side. During a search, police recovered 60 cartons containing 3,000 quarters of illicit liquor from the vehicle. The car was seized as part of the investigation.

According to the police, Gupta had been in contact with a liquor supplier named Rohan, believed to be based in Vijay Vihar in Rohini, for around two months. During interrogation, he told officers that he would travel to Sonipat, where a man named Mubarik, allegedly working for Rohan, would arrange the vehicle and the illicit liquor. The liquor was reportedly collected from licensed outlets in Sonipat before being transported into Delhi.

Police said Gupta made such trips regularly over the past two months, delivering illicit liquor to areas including Tilak Nagar, Vikaspuri, Rajouri Garden, and Anand Parbat. Investigations suggest he was employed as a driver for the alleged main supplier and was paid a fixed monthly amount for transporting and delivering the consignments.

A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Delhi Excise Act at the Tilak Nagar Police Station. Gupta has been arrested following completion of legal formalities. The police are now working to trace the alleged kingpin, Rohan, and identify other persons involved in the smuggling network.

Illicit liquor trade is a recurring concern in the national capital, with enforcement agencies regularly conducting raids to curb the supply. The Delhi Excise Act prohibits the possession, sale, and transportation of liquor without proper authorisation. Offenders can face stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines. The police have urged citizens to report any such illegal activities.

Authorities have emphasised that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the smuggling operation and its links.