Nuapada/Bhubaneswar, Nov 7: In view of the upcoming by-election for the Nuapada Assembly constituency scheduled to be held on November 11, authorities have seized illicit liquor and narcotics valued at more than ₹1.2 crore in Nuapada district.

Acting on directives from the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha, the district administration and Excise Department intensified raids to curb the flow of illegal excisable goods during the election period.

Since the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, the local Excise Department has seized 86 liters of beer, 42 liters of foreign liquor, 6,963 liters of country-made liquor, 1,512 liters of mahua-based liquor, 60 kilograms of ganja (cannabis), and 1,71,300 kilograms of mahua flower mixture used for brewing illicit liquor.

According to Excise Department sources, the total estimated value of the seized materials amounts to ₹1,20,03,756 (one crore twenty lakh three thousand seven hundred fifty-six rupees). In addition to the contraband items, eight motorcycles and one four-wheeler used for illegal transportation were also confiscated.

So far, 242 excise-related cases have been registered, and 134 individuals have been arrested in connection with these operations, informed the Excise Superintendent of Nuapada.

To ensure a free and fair election, the Chief Electoral Officer has instructed the District Collector, local administration, and Excise Department to take strict measures to completely prevent the smuggling and circulation of illegal liquor and other excisable materials during the election period.