Bhubaneswar, Dec 23: In a major crackdown on illegal activities, the Excise Department has seized contraband worth Rs 1.64 crore during the first two days of its Special Enforcement Drive, which was launched on December 20 in coordination with the Odisha Police.

The drive, which targets curbing excise violations ahead of New Year celebrations, led to the registration of 318 cases, including four under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. A total of 134 arrests were made, and 12 vehicles were seized, underscoring the scale and organization of the illicit liquor and narcotics trade.

Among the recovered items were 1,89,320 bulk litres of fermented wash, 8,200 kg of gur wash, and 880 kg of mahua flowers-all essential ingredients for illegal distillation activities. Authorities also confiscated 19,175 bulk litres of illicitly distilled liquor and 485 bulk litres of duty-paid liquor, which had been illegally diverted.

Additionally, narcotics seized during the operation included 3 kg of ganja and 117 grams of brown sugar.

The Excise Department officials emphasized that the primary goal of the enforcement drive is to dismantle the production hubs and supply chains behind these illegal activities, using sustained, intelligence-driven enforcement efforts.