Cuttack, Jan 22: The Excise Department conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations in Athagarh, targeting the illegal production and distribution of country liquor. The operations focused on Bhiruda police station and Panaspatana village.

During the raids, officers discovered barrels of brightly colored country liquor being prepared for sale in households. Acting on intelligence reports, a joint team from Cuttack and Athagarh seized 11,025 liters of country liquor along with 31,990 liters of molasses, which were subsequently destroyed.

The department noted that illegal alcohol was widely circulating in the villages. So far, four cases have been registered, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities also highlighted repeated complaints about the preparation and smuggling of stolen country liquor in the Bhiruda–Panaspatana area.