Massive illegal liquor seizure in Bhubaneswar; Excise Department raids multiple locations, 5 arrested

In a significant crackdown on illegal liquor trade, the Excise Department on Saturday seized a large quantity of illicit alcohol worth lakhs of rupees from various locations in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. The operation was carried out through a series of well-coordinated raids across several areas, targeting underground liquor supply chains.

Location Of Raids

According to officials, raids were conducted in Haladipadia Basti, Balianta, Phuleswari Basti, and other locations, which are known hotspots for the storage and distribution of illegal liquor. The seizure involved multiple cartons of illicit Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) as well as country-made liquor, which were allegedly being stored for black-market distribution across the city.

In the course of the operation, the Excise Department arrested five individuals who were allegedly involved in the illegal trade. Along with the liquor, the authorities also seized two cars and one scooter, suspected to have been used for transportation and distribution of the alcohol.

The estimated value of the confiscated liquor runs into several lakhs of rupees, indicating the scale of the illegal operation. Officials believe that this is part of a larger network operating within and around Bhubaneswar.

“Today, multiple raids were conducted, including Haladipadia under Laxmi Sagar Police limits. First, we intercepted a car,  seized country-made liquor and arrested two persons. Subsequently, raids were also conducted at different parts of Bhubaneswar,” said a senior Excise official.

The Excise Department has intensified its surveillance and crackdown operations ahead of the upcoming festive season, during which illegal liquor sales tend to spike. Officials stated that further investigations are underway to trace the origin of the liquor and identify others involved in the racket.

This latest action by the Excise Department reflects the Odisha government’s commitment to curbing illegal alcohol trade and ensuring public safety, especially in urban slum areas where such operations often thrive. Authorities have urged the public to report any suspicious activity related to illegal liquor sales to help eradicate the menace from society.