A suspected liquor smuggler died and another was detained by police on Monday after a high-speed chase involving the Anti-Narcotics Task Force and local police that ended in a crash in Rajasthan’s Balotra district, police said.
The police said that the deceased was named Puneesh (22 years old), a resident of Narli Nadi, and he was taken to Sanshore Hospital, where he died of his wounds, while the police arrested the second passenger and confiscated the car.
Superintendent of Police Ramesh said: “One of the accused was arrested and the vehicle loaded with alcoholic beverages was confiscated.”
He added that no shooting occurred during the operation.
The accident occurred around 12 noon on Amliala-Bhaidana Road within the limits of Gudamalani Police Station. According to the police, ANTF received information that a vehicle carrying illegal liquor crossed the Pagoda toll plaza. The team chased the car and informed the Gudamalani police at the same time.
When the smugglers realized that the police were approaching, they allegedly diverted from Lonwa Jagir towards Amliala and headed towards Bhaydana Road in an attempt to evade arrest.
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Police said that during the chase, a small car suddenly appeared from the opposite direction, causing the driver to lose control. The car veered off the road and hit a tree. Police forces and ANTF members arrived at the scene immediately.
During the search, officers recovered a Gujarat registration number plate, while the vehicle was found to be fitted with a Karnataka registration plate, leading to speculation that the smugglers used interchangeable number plates to transport liquor.
The officer said that further legal action is being investigated and taken.
