Bhubaneswar: The Excise Department registered 212 cases and seized contraband worth Rs 76.61 lakh on the tenth day of its Special Enforcement Drive, which began on December 20.
A total of 63 people were arrested during the day, including one under the NDPS Act. Officials seized 8,524 bulk litres of illicitly distilled liquor and 377 bulk litres of duty-paid liquor. Other recoveries included 78,500 bulk litres of fermented wash, 10,000 kg of gur wash, 274 kg of mahua flowers, and 70 grams of brown sugar.
In a major action, the Koraput Excise team raided an illegal unit at Bondaguda in the Kotpad area. The team uncovered a full-fledged counterfeit foreign liquor operation. Officials seized 1,545.16 litres of spurious liquor, along with fake packaging materials, including duplicate EALs, labels, corks, as well as spirits, chemicals, machinery, and other equipment.
Officials said the seizures highlight the ongoing drive’s focus on disrupting illicit liquor production and organised supply chains.
The campaign will continue to curb illegal manufacturing and trafficking across the State.
