Odisha Excise dept busts fake foreign liquor racket in Baripada; two arrested, large cache seized

The Excise Department in Mayurbhanj district seized a massive cache of duplicate foreign liquor, coloured spirit, and raw materials used in fake liquor manufacturing during a raid in Betanati block.

Acting on a tip-off, the operation was led by Betanati Excise Sub-Inspector Pradip Kumar Behera, resulting in the arrest of two individuals. Both were detained with a motorcycle and mobile phones that have since been seized for evidence.

Raid Followed Tip-Off On Fake Liquor Trade

Sources reported that excise officials received confidential intelligence that fake foreign liquor was being trafficked into Betanati from Balasore. Based on surveillance over the past week, officers intercepted a suspect near the Fire Station Square on Saturday.

The suspect was reportedly carrying 45 litres of duplicate IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) and 20 litres of coloured spirit on a motorcycle. The spirit was being used as a key ingredient to prepare counterfeit liquor resembling popular foreign brands, informed SI Behera.

Excise Official Confirms Week-Long Surveillance

Sub-Inspector Pradip Kumar Behera stated that the team had been monitoring the suspect’s movement for several days before acting on concrete inputs.

“We had specific intelligence regarding fake liquor being smuggled into Betanati. The suspect was under watch for six to seven days before being apprehended with duplicate stock near Fire Station Square. He is now under interrogation, and further information will be verified after a detailed probe,” Behera said.

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Follow-Up Raid At Dhaba Near Railway Station

After initial questioning, the accused revealed information that led the Excise team to a dhaba near Betanati Railway Station, where further searches were conducted.

Officials recovered a large stock of sealed and empty bottles of branded foreign liquor, duplicate caps, printed labels, packaging boxes, and containers filled with spirit. Verification confirmed that the seized liquor was being refilled and repackaged for illegal sale in the local market. Another suspect was apprehended here.

Network Under Investigation

The Excise Department has now launched a wider investigation to identify other members involved in the illegal trade. Officials are verifying links to distributors operating from Balasore, Baripada, and adjoining areas.

Samples of the seized spirit and liquor have been sent for forensic testing to determine their composition and potential health hazards.

As of the last reports, the department has stepped up surveillance in northern Odisha, particularly around highway dhabas and local retail points, to trace similar counterfeit consignments.