Angul: In a major crackdown on illicit liquor trade, Angul police on Friday unearthed a large-scale fake India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) manufacturing unit operating near Shikshakpada Sai Temple in the city. Thousands of counterfeit liquor bottles were being produced here and supplied across Odisha.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Angul Town Police Station and the Special Squad, led by Town PS IIC Dhirendra Das, raided a house where the illegal unit was running. The police found production in full swing, with workers bottling spurious liquor in containers of popular brands.
A total of 1,816 bottles—around 330 litres—were seized along with 55 litres of spirit, a large cache of empty bottles, flavouring agents, colours, labels, and brand stickers. Two persons were detained on the spot.
Further investigation led the police to a warehouse in Kansara village under Hindol Police Station limits on the Angul-Dhenkanal border, where the finished stock was stored before being circulated. From this site, 1,091 bottles of fake liquor, estimated at 220 litres, were recovered along with 210 litres of spirit. Two more suspects were detained during the raid, which continued till late night.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the counterfeit liquor was being distributed not only in Angul and Dhenkanal districts but also smuggled to other parts of the state. The network allegedly used middlemen to push the fake liquor into rural markets and small shops.
Angul SP Rahul Jain said that the police have intensified action against illegal liquor manufacturing and distribution, particularly ahead of the festive season. “We are committed to a zero-tolerance policy against illicit liquor trade and will continue strong enforcement drives,” he asserted.
