Late Tuesday evening, Nagod police received a tip-off that two men were transporting illegal liquor on a motorcycle. Acting swiftly under the supervision of Station In-Charge Inspector Ashok Pandey, the police set up a blockade and intercepted the suspects. A search revealed a sack and a carton containing 200 bottles of country liquor and 100 bottles of Goa whisky.
The arrested individuals were identified as Sandeep alias Vikas alias Akash Jaiswal (26) and Subhash alias Shubham Jaiswal (27), both residents of Nagod. Police have registered a case under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act and presented them before court, after which they were sent to jail.
Excise Department Busts Mahua Liquor Unit
Meanwhile, the excise department raided Khokharra village in Unchehra tehsil and uncovered an illegal Mahua-based liquor distillery. The team demolished three operational furnaces and seized about 25 quintals of mahua lahan and 35 litres of freshly brewed country liquor, all of which were destroyed on-site.
Accused on the Run, Probe Underway
Before the excise team arrived, the operators of the illegal factory managed to flee. A case has been registered against unidentified accused under relevant sections of the Excise Act, and an investigation is in progress. Sources revealed that Khokharra, Bihta, and Pathraundha villages have long been hubs for illicit Mahua liquor production. The department has pledged to intensify surveillance in these areas.
Crackdown Amid Rising Smuggling Ahead of Elections
Officials said that with the election season approaching, the risk of increased liquor smuggling has grown, prompting coordinated enforcement drives. So far, several litres of illicit liquor have been seized across the district, and multiple smugglers have been detained. Authorities affirmed that such operations will continue to ensure a “complete clampdown on illegal trade.”
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