Baripada, Oct 21: In a major crackdown on illegal liquor trade, the Excise Department on Tuesday raided Hatijhuri village under Betanoti Excise Station and seized a significant quantity of fake and toxic foreign liquor. Acting on a tip-off, the operation was carried out with the assistance of the Mayurbhanj District Mobile Team.

During the raid, officials discovered over 40 litres of spurious foreign liquor packed in 54 bottles, buried underground behind a house. In addition, nearly 200 empty bottles bearing labels of various liquor brands were recovered, suggesting large-scale illegal bottling and distribution.

The key accused, Dhananjay Singh alias Bapuni, a resident of Hatijhuri and the son of Padmalochan Singh, was arrested. Singh reportedly ran a hotel in Baishinga market, from where he allegedly operated the counterfeit liquor business.

According to the Excise Department, Singh had been sourcing the fake liquor from a youth named Jadu, hailing from Kaifulia village near Nadpur. Singh has reportedly confessed to his involvement and provided crucial leads during preliminary interrogation.

The raid was conducted under the direction of District Excise Superintendent Prashant Kumar, and led on the ground by Excise Officer Pradeep Kumar Behera.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. The Excise Department has confirmed that efforts are being intensified to uncover the full extent of the racket and identify other individuals involved in the manufacturing and distribution network.

Authorities have termed the seized liquor as “toxic and unsafe for consumption,” raising serious public health concerns. The department has vowed to take strict action against all those involved in the illegal trade.