mumbai in an attempt to prevent smuggling of liquor from neighbouring states during the lockdown maharashtra has sealed its borders with them and deployed adequate manpower at a dozen checkposts an official said on fridaythe move by the excise department has come in the wake of lifting of certain coronavirusinduced curbs which included allowing reopening of liquor shopsas the demand for alcohol has increased in maharashtra there is a possibility of liquor smuggling by interstate organised syndicates the official saidconsidering the threat from such syndicates the excise department has deployed its flying squads and vigilance teams in districts located along the borders with neighbouring states he saidto avoid any smuggling activity during this period we have increased our vigil on 12 checkposts and sealed borders with adjoining states he saidthis will help in curbing illegal transportation of liquor or spirit the official saidwith the help of local police the excise department has initiated action against persons involved in smuggling and transportation of liquor he saidsince the lockdown came into force in late march at least 4829 offences have been registered for illegal liquor transportation and 438 vehicles seized he saidbesides at least 2104 persons have been arrested so far in such cases the official said adding liquor and other material worth rs 1263 crore have been seized since the shutdownthe excise department has started a control room where people can provide information related to illegal manufacturing or sale of liquor he said