Vadodara: Cops seize 928 bottles of liquor from ‘ambulance’

Yet another alleged attempt by bootleggers to smuggle alcohol undetected into the dry state of Gujarat was busted on Friday when the Chhota Udepur district police intercepted a Maruti Van – made to resemble an ambulance to avoid suspicion – and seized 928 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) hidden under the stretcher.

Acting on a tip-off, officials of Pavi Jetpur police station lay in wait for a Maruti van bearing a Gujarat registration number near the Sihod Janta Chowkdi early on Friday. As the suspected ambulance arrived, with inscription of Gujarat Government and 108 Emergency as well as other medical symbols painted on its body; its windows covered with green hospital curtains, the police officers signalled the driver to pull to the side. However, instead of obeying the instructions, the driver zoomed past the police check post, resulting in a high speed chase by the police.

On intercepting the ambulance, the police found a stash of 928 bottles of IMFL stashed under the stretcher meant for patients and covered with a green hospital cloth. However, the driver managed to escape from the spot.