Fake foreign liquor manufacturing unit busted in Odisha's Nuapada, 4 arrested

The Excise Department busted a fake foreign liquor manufacturing unit at Boden area in Nuapada district and seized a huge quantity of counterfeit liquor on Tuesday.  

According to sources, four accused individuals have been arrested in connection with the case and forwarded to court.

The operation began when fake foreign liquor was found being transported on a bike. Following this discovery, the Excise Department conducted a raid on a rented house in Boden, uncovering a large cache of fake foreign liquor, liquor manufacturing materials, and counterfeit labels and stickers of premium brands.

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The authorities have intensified their investigation to identify others involved in the illegal operation and prevent the further distribution of counterfeit liquor in the region.

In a similar incident, in December 2024, Udala police seized 180 litres of country liquor concealed in cold drink bottles from a private bus at Udala bus stand in Mayurbhanj district, arresting three individuals in connection with the case.

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Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted the bus, and discovered the contraband. The traders had gone to Khunta to collect the illegal liquor and were being paid by their employer Rs 500 for each bag successfully transported back to Bhubaneswar.

In an effort to counter the production and sale of illicit liquor, the Odisha government has initiated a zero-tolerance policy. Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced that the state is intensifying its efforts to combat the unlawful alcohol trade by implementing stringent measures against the sale of illegal liquor.

Prithiviraj Harichandan, Minister of Excise Department said, “The department plans to take concrete steps to identify locations of illicit liquor sales and illegal distilleries, vowing to eliminate such activities. Additionally, the department is brainstorming on introducing radical changes to excise norms.”