Odisha Excise department runs bulldozers on illegal country liquor unit in Bhubaneswar

Tension ran high at Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar on Sunday as the Excise Department began its operation to demolish a sophisticated illegal country liquor unit in the area.

The operation followed a raid carried out by authorities the previous day, which unearthed a secret distillery hidden inside a concealed chamber accessible through a secret passage from a house.

Bulldozers Flatten Hidden Distillery

Ground visuals highlighted that the excise department deployed bulldozers to dismantle the structures used by the liquor mafia. Hundreds of litres of country-made liquor and several quintals of fermented raw materials were destroyed on the spot.

Sources reported that a large gathering of locals was present on the site, and thus, the Commissionerate Police deployed additional forces to maintain law and order in the area.

Authorities confirmed that the owner of the unit had fled prior to the demolition, abandoning the illicit setup. The move was part of a broader crackdown to prevent illegal liquor production and sale during the upcoming festive period, particularly ahead of Durga Puja and other celebrations.

Previous Raids And Continuing Enforcement

This operation follows earlier raids this year when the Excise Department targeted illegal country liquor dens, also located in Salia Sahi.

On that occasion, a large quantity of country liquor and raw materials were seized and destroyed, and nine individuals were arrested. Despite these enforcement measures, reports of illicit liquor activities resurfaced, prompting authorities to intensify surveillance and raids across the capital city.

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Broader Crackdown On Illegal Operations

Sources reported that the Excise Department and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) are coordinating to identify additional locations linked to illegal liquor and drug operations. 

Officials stated that similar demolitions and raids will continue at various points in the city to curb criminal networks exploiting loopholes in law enforcement. Intelligence inputs and tip-offs form the basis of these operations, ensuring that high-risk structures and clandestine operations are targeted effectively.