Bhubaneswar, December 29: The Excise Department has registered a total of 581 cases and seized contraband valued at Rs 5.18 crore in the last three days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – as part of its ongoing special enforcement drive, which commenced on December 20.
According to official figures, 200 persons were arrested during the three-day operations, including eight cases booked under the NDPS Act. As many as 17 vehicles were seized in connection with the enforcement action.
The seizures included 27,689 bulk litres of illicitly distilled liquor, 1,097 bulk litres of duty-paid liquor, 2,73,860 bulk litres of fermented wash and 29,050 kg of gur wash. Enforcement teams also recovered 720 kg of mahua flowers. 52 kg of bhang was also seized during the operations.
Narcotics seized during the period comprised of 38 kg of ganja and 25 grams of brown sugar. In addition, Excise units in Koraput and Malkangiri registered two cases relating to the illegal cultivation of hemp plants.
Officials said the cumulative figures from the drive underscore the organised nature of illicit liquor and narcotics operations and reiterated that the enforcement campaign would continue with a focus on dismantling production centers, transport networks and supply chains across the State.
Meanwhile, Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday said that the special enforcement drive will continue till January 15.
"Excise, police administration and Narcotics Bureau are keeping a close watch on the contraband smuggling, illegal transport networks and supply chains. Our Excise intelligence wing is also on alert in view of the zero night and New Year celebrations,” said Harichandan.
