Excise team seizes 2,000 litres of country liquor in Bhubaneswar; 4 arrested

The Excise Department in Bhubaneswar foiled an illegal liquor operation, arresting four individuals and seizing 2,000 litres of country-made liquor during a raid on Monday. The illicit liquor was being transported in two separate vehicles, including a van and a new car.

Also Read: 4 arrested for ‘attacking Excise team’ after raid at Bhubaneswar bar

In the first case, a van ostensibly loaded with rice was found to be secretly carrying country liquor. To mask the smell, officials discovered dried fish placed inside the van. In another incident, a new car bound with decorative tape was being used to smuggle additional liquor when it was intercepted by the Excise team.

Authorities emphasised that such operations are part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal alcohol trafficking in the city. The arrested individuals are being interrogated, and further investigations are underway to trace the supply network.

Excise officials warned that raids will continue across Bhubaneswar to curb the illicit liquor trade and ensure public safety.

“A huge cache of illegal liquor was kept in a van along with vegetables, dried fish, and other items. The raid team was astonished after seeing this. In another vehicle, a new car, which was following the previous one, illegal liquor was also kept. Nearly 2,000 litres of country-made liquor have been seized,” Excise Superintendent, Debasish Patel, said.

“Four persons, who hail from Aska, Buguda, and Gangapur localities of Ganjam district, have been arrested in this connection,” the senior official expressed.

Worth mentioning, an unusual scene had unfolded in Bhubaneswar late Saturday night as an Excise Department team came face to face with some unruly and drunken youths. The incident occurred near a bar in Chandrasekharpur when the excise team was returning after conducting a raid. Four youths were arrested earlier today in this connection.