Cuttack, Oct 1: In a major crackdown on illegal liquor production, the Excise Department raided a country-made liquor unit operating deep inside a forest near Dhegua village under Banki police limits in Cuttack district. Acting on reliable intelligence, officials seized 700 litres of country-made liquor and destroyed 4,340 litres of fermented jaggery (poc) on the spot.

The joint raid was carried out under the supervision of Cuttack Excise Superintendent Karuna Shankar Tiwari, with operational command by Athagarh Excise Sub-Divisional Officer C.H. Satpathy. A team from the Banki Excise Station conducted the operation.

In addition to the liquor, officials seized two aluminium distillation units used in the brewing process. All seized materials were destroyed at the site. The department has registered two separate cases in connection with the illegal activity.

Excise Inspectors Ravi Narayan Pradhan (Athagarh) and Soumyaranjan Majhi (Banki) led the operation, which is being seen as part of an intensified drive against illicit liquor trade in the region.

Officials stated that further investigation is underway to trace those involved in the illegal brewing network.

Tags: Crime