Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Excise Department has intensified its enforcement drive during the festival season, seizing contraband worth Rs 5.10 crore in the first five days of a special statewide operation.
The special drive is being conducted from October 10 to October 31, 2026 to curb manufacture, possession, storage, sale, transportation and smuggling of illicitly distilled (ID) liquor, non-duty-paid and duplicate liquor, spirit, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
During October 10 to 14, the department registered 958 cases, including 25 cases under the NDPS Act, and arrested 470 persons who have been forwarded to court.
The operations led to seizure of 46,218 bulk litres of ID liquor, 39 litres of duplicate foreign liquor, 795 kg of Mahua flowers, 931 kg of ganja, 135 grams of heroin and 25.4 litres of codeine-based cough syrup. The department also seized 62 vehicles used in commission of the offences.
Officials said heightened vigilance and enforcement will continue till October 31 to prevent circulation of illicit liquor and narcotic substances during the festive season.
