Habitual criminal changed locations frequently to evade police; total seizure valued at Rs 24,820

Raipur police have arrested a habitual offender for allegedly selling illegal liquor from a public parking area in the city, seizing country-made English liquor, cash, and a two-wheeler in a crackdown that followed weeks of surveillance and tip-offs from informers.

The arrested individual has been identified as Firoz Khan, 52, a resident of Rajbandha Maidan, who was apprehended from the parking lot of Shaheed Smarak Bhavan in the Maudahapara police station area. Authorities say he had been on their radar for some time, with multiple complaints of illegal liquor sales piling up against him.

Tip-Off Led to Arrest

Acting on information from a local informer, a police team moved in and cordoned off the area near Shaheed Smarak Bhavan's parking. Khan was caught on the spot. During a search, officers recovered 36 pouva of Goa English liquor — amounting to 6.48 bulk litres — along with Rs 500 in cash and a Honda Activa scooter bearing registration number CG 04 MK 8657. The total value of seized material has been estimated at Rs 24,820, with the liquor alone valued at around Rs 4,320.

A Pattern of Evasion

What set this case apart, according to Maudahapara police, was Khan's deliberate effort to stay ahead of law enforcement. Instead of operating from a fixed point, he had shifted to selling from different locations around the area — a move the police say was a calculated attempt to dodge detection after pressure from ongoing surveillance mounted. Officers had also installed CCTV cameras at multiple spots to track suspicious activity. The strategy, however, ultimately failed as an informer's tip gave police the lead they needed.

No Papers, No Licence

When questioned, Khan could not produce any valid licence or documentation to justify possessing or selling liquor. Police then formally registered a case under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act and placed him under arrest.

Authorities note that Khan is a known habitual offender in the locality, and complaints against him had persisted over a considerable period before this arrest was made possible through sustained ground-level monitoring.

Seizure Breakdown

The items confiscated from Khan include 36 pouva of Goa English liquor (6.48 bulk litres), valued at approximately Rs 4,320; Rs 500 in cash; and the Honda Activa scooter. Cumulatively, the seized property is assessed at Rs 24,820.

Police Warn of Continued Action

Raipur police, while announcing the arrest, also issued a public appeal urging residents to report illegal liquor trade and drug-related activity in their neighbourhoods without delay. Officials indicated that enforcement efforts against habitual offenders and unlicensed liquor sellers will continue in the days ahead, adding that community cooperation has been critical in making such operations successful.

The Maudahapara case is part of a broader push by Raipur district police to rein in unauthorised liquor trade in urban pockets, where informal networks often exploit busy public spaces — including parking lots and roadside areas — to run clandestine operations away from residential scrutiny.

In an overnight operation near Katra, Rewa police intercepted a Scorpio and recovered 25 crates of liquor, officials said on Tuesday, in a seizure that has prompted further inquiries into the supply chain. The liquor seizure Rewa was reported to have a market value of about Rs 1.12 lakh.

Checkpoint and arrest
According to police sources, information from a confidential informant early on Tuesday prompted officers to set up a checkpoint on the road approaching Katra. The Scorpio, bearing registration MP 17 CC 8377, was stopped during the clampdown and searched. During the search, officers found 25 crates of packaged liquor inside the vehicle.

Driver held at the scene
Police said the driver, identified as Siddharth Singh, was taken into custody at the scene. The vehicle and the seized liquor were impounded, and an offence under the state excise laws has been registered. Initial questioning reportedly yielded limited details, but investigators are continuing custodial enquiries.

Value and identification
Senior officials estimated the retail value of the confiscated liquor at roughly Rs 1.12 lakh. The vehicle’s registration was confirmed by officers at the checkpoint and recorded in FIR documents, a police official stated. No other persons were arrested in the immediate action.

Contractor link under probe
Additional Superintendent of Police Sandeep Mishra told reporters that the driver, during preliminary questioning, claimed the cargo belonged to a contractor and was being transported on their instructions. “He has indicated the consignment was for a contractor,” Mishra said, adding that investigators are probing that lead and tracing the consignment’s origin.

Document checks and follow-up
Police teams are examining transport documents recovered from the vehicle and pursuing leads to identify others who may be involved in the alleged illegal movement. Authorities said documents related to the liquor consignment are being scrutinised to establish whether the transport complied with excise regulations or involved unlawful diversion.

Wider enforcement drive
The seizure comes amid an ongoing district effort to curb illegal liquor trade, police said. Rewa police have carried out multiple checkpoints and raids across rural routes and market towns in recent weeks after receiving tips about unregulated supplies. Local authorities emphasised swift action on actionable intelligence.

Ground-level details
Locals in and around Katra said they noticed increased police presence on the road from late evening into the early hours. “There were multiple vehicles checked,” said one resident who asked not to be named. No disturbances were reported at the time of the operation, and normal traffic resumed after the search.

Legal process ahead
If investigations find evidence of document forgery or unlawful transportation, police said they will file charges against all implicated parties under the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act and other relevant statutes. For now, the driver remains in custody while inquiries continue.

What to expect next
Investigators said they will track distribution routes and contact points to determine whether this seizure is part of a larger network operating in the district. Officials also signalled further targeted checkpoints and surveillance on known transit corridors.

Operation Nishchay Nets 46 Wanted Criminals Across Raipur Range

Chhattisgarh Police Deploy 95 Teams in Five Districts, Seize Drugs, Liquor, and Weapons in Sweeping Two-Day Crackdown

In one of the most coordinated law enforcement drives in recent months, the Raipur Range Police executed a sweeping two-day crackdown under Operation Nishchay, targeting criminal networks across five districts of Chhattisgarh. The joint operation, conducted on April 4 and 5, mobilised 95 teams simultaneously across Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Gariaband, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, and Raipur Rural districts.

Scale of the Operation

A total of 384 raids, searches, and checkpost operations were carried out over the 48-hour window. The sheer scale of the deployment signals the Raipur Range's intent to dismantle entrenched criminal activity in both urban fringes and rural belts. According to police officials, the operation was planned with prior intelligence inputs and coordinated at the range headquarters level.

Liquor and Drugs Seized

The drive yielded significant recoveries on the narcotics and liquor front. Under the Excise Act, 126 cases were registered and an equal number of accused were taken into custody. Seized liquor stocks amounted to 802.436 litres of country and foreign liquor, along with 597 quarter bottles.

On the narcotics front, 22 NDPS Act cases were filed, with police recovering 21.945 kilograms of contraband substances and 60 tablets suspected to be psychotropic drugs. Ganja formed a bulk of the seized narcotic material, as per reports from district units.

Weapons Recovered, Warrants Served

Six cases were registered under the Arms Act, with police seizing two pistols during the course of the operation. The recovery of firearms from civilians in rural districts has been flagged as a priority concern in the range's anti-crime strategy.

Parallel to the seizures, a dedicated warrant execution drive was run alongside the raids. Teams served a combined 46 warrants — comprising 31 arrest warrants, 14 permanent warrants, and 1 bailable warrant — leading to the apprehension of 46 wanted individuals who had been evading the law.

District-Wise Breakdown

Each district contributed significantly to the overall tally:

• Balodabazar-Bhatapara — 13 NDPS cases filed; 5.6 kg of narcotics seized

• Gariaband — 119 raids conducted; 158 litres of liquor recovered

• Dhamtari — 150 locations covered; 3.9 kg of contraband seized

• Mahasamund — 10.5 kg of drugs and 357 litres of liquor recovered

• Raipur Rural — 1.8 kg of ganja and 597 quarter bottles seized

Additionally, 174 actions were taken under various preventive and prohibitory sections.

Gambling Rackets Busted

Two cases were also registered under the Gambling Act, with seven accused arrested and cash amounting to ₹6,230 seized from illegal betting and gambling dens. Four separate criminal cases were also pursued by respective district units as part of the broader operation.

Official Statement

Police officials confirmed that Operation Nishchay is not a one-time exercise. "The drive against anti-social elements, smugglers, and absconders will continue with equal intensity," a senior officer said, adding that maintaining law and order across the Raipur Range remains the department's foremost priority.

What Comes Next

Authorities indicated that further crackdowns are planned based on leads generated during this operation. With dozens of wanted persons now in custody and substantial contraband off the streets, investigators are expected to pursue leads that could unravel larger supply chains behind drug trafficking in the region. The operation is being seen as a template for future range-level coordinated drives across Chhattisgarh.