Women gang pulls alarm chain to smuggle liquor on train

The 12 arrested accused and seized liquor bottles at the RPF post at Vapi

A gang of women liquor smugglers has been busted for pulling emergency chains of passenger trains between stations on Western Railway to smuggle illegal liquor consignments. The unique modus operandi came to light following frequent cases of alarm chain pulling in passenger trains between Vapi and Bagwara for several days. Western Railway's RPF launched a probe and nabbed 12 women in the case.

"Observing the rising cases of unnecessary alarm chain pulling, RPF carried out secret surveillance. On February 6, 2022 at 6.30 am near the railway tracks on the west side of the railway area between Vapi and Bagwara, 12 women carrying heavy goods were stopped and questioned on the basis of suspicious activity by the RPF team. At the time of questioning, the women said they were carrying illicit liquor," said Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer, Western Railway.

He added, "These women were brought to the RPF Post at Vapi for checking, which revealed 32 boxes containing 1,536 liquor bottles worth approximately R70,000." "On further investigation, it was found that one of the women involved would sit in the train from Vapi and pull the alarm chain, following which others would board the train with the illegal liquor bottles," Thakur added.

After conducting COVID-19 tests of all of the 12 women, they have been handed over to Government Railway Police at Vapi with the illicit liquor for further legal action.