Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown, the Excise Department seized contraband worth Rs 1.64 crore during the first two days of its Special Enforcement Drive, launched on December 20 in coordination with the Odisha Police.
The drive, aimed at curbing excise violations during New Year celebrations, resulted in 318 cases being registered, including four under the NDPS Act, and 134 arrests. Officials also seized 12 vehicles, highlighting the organized logistics behind illegal liquor and narcotics operations.
Officials recovered 1,89,320 bulk litres of fermented wash, 8,200 kg of gur wash, and 880 kg of mahua flowers — all commonly used in illicit distillation. In addition, 19,175 bulk litres of illicitly distilled liquor and 485 bulk litres of duty-paid liquor were confiscated.
Narcotics seizures included 3 kg of ganja and 117 grams of brown sugar.
Officials stated that the drive aims to dismantle production hubs and supply chains through sustained, intelligence-led enforcement.
