Pune Police Bust Illegal Liquor Ring, Seize Over Rs 1 Crore Cash

Picture this: a routine-ish raid on an alleged illegal liquor seller in Pune suddenly escalates into something far more dramatic. The local police, acting on a tip, weren't just looking for illicit bottles; they stumbled upon an astonishing sum of money – over Rs 1 crore in cold, hard cash, tucked away in one of the suspect's homes. It’s the kind of discovery that really makes you sit up and take notice, doesn't it?

The Warje Malwadi police, ever vigilant, launched this operation recently, leading to the arrest of three individuals suspected of running quite the extensive illegal liquor trade. Ravindra Bhagwan Salve, aged 48, appears to be at the heart of the initial investigation. Officers had received credible information suggesting he was peddling liquor right from his residence without any of the necessary licenses. Naturally, they decided to investigate further, a move that would soon prove incredibly fruitful.

When the police team raided Salve's house, their suspicions were confirmed. They found a quantity of illegally stored liquor, a clear violation of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. But here's where the story takes an unexpected turn. As their investigation deepened, linking Salve to another individual named Rupesh Vijay Jadhav (32), they decided to extend their search. And what a search it turned out to be!

During the subsequent search of Rupesh Jadhav's residence, officers weren't just finding more liquor; they were uncovering a massive financial trail. Imagine the scene: stacks of currency notes, carefully concealed, totaling an eye-watering Rs 1,00,89,000. That’s more than a crore rupees! It's an amount that truly underscores the lucrative, and utterly illegal, nature of this kind of trade. It certainly wasn't just a few bottles being sold under the table.

Further inquiries revealed that Rupesh Jadhav wasn't working alone either. Another individual, Sandip Ashok Jadhav, also 32, was found to be involved in this illicit operation, making him the third person taken into custody. All three now face serious charges under sections 65(e) and 81 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, which deal with the illegal sale and possession of alcohol, as well as associated offenses.

This bust, spearheaded by the Warje Malwadi police, serves as a stark reminder of the persistent fight against illegal activities in our communities. It highlights the often-hidden wealth generated by such illicit trades and the dedicated efforts of law enforcement to bring these operations to light, ensuring a safer and more compliant environment for everyone. Sometimes, a single tip can unravel a much larger, more surprising story than anyone initially anticipated.