Baripada: In a significant crackdown, Udala police in Mayurbhanj district uncovered a liquor smuggling racket involving the use of coded bags and cold drink bottles to transport country liquor.
Acting on a tip-off, police conducted a raid at the Udala bus stand and intercepted a private bus heading towards Bhubaneswar. During the operation, officers seized three bags containing 34 cold drink bottles filled with illicit country liquor.
According to police sources, the liquor was being smuggled from Patashanipur area under Udala police limits. The bottles were carefully packed into branded bags marked with specific codes for easy identification. The smugglers reportedly boarded the bus posing as regular passengers.
Out of the three persons involved, police apprehended a minor who was transporting the consignment, while the other two accused managed to flee. The use of a minor in the operation has raised serious concerns among authorities.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the consignment was intended for delivery to the Saliasahi area of Bhubaneswar. Police are continuing efforts to trace the absconding accused and uncover the wider network behind the smuggling operation.
