Bhubaneswar: In a major operation against illicit liquor, Ganjam police raided and dismantled several illegally operated distilleries in seven villages under the Badapalli Gram Panchayat in Khallikote police jurisdiction on Friday.
The targeted villages included Gundiripali, Marei Nuagaon, Nuapalli, Badapalli, Debijhara, Kamarsingi, and Chakasingi.
According to an official press release, the special drive led to the destruction of 84 illegal distilleries and the disposal of around two lakh litres of ‘Mahua Pocha,’ a fermented substance used for making illicit liquor. Additionally, 800 mahua storage units were demolished during the operation.
The police have detained 20 individuals, including the mastermind behind the illegal activities.
Seized items include 3,500 litres of illicitly distilled (ID) liquor, 13 bags of mahua, 402 mahua storage drums, 135 aluminium pots, two motorcycles, five pump sets, two country-made firearms, and four crowbars.
This decisive action underscores the police’s commitment to curbing the menace of illicit liquor in the region, with further investigations underway.
