Odisha Excise Department Seizes Illicit Liquor, Narcotics Worth Over ₹1.15 Crore in Statewide Raids

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Excise Department intensified its crackdown on illegal liquor and narcotics with statewide raids conducted on September 13, resulting in the detection of 223 cases, including four under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to an official release, 80 persons were arrested during the drive, while 78 others were released under Section 35 of the BNSS Act.

The raids led to the seizure of large quantities of contraband, including 11,442 bulk litres (BL) of illicitly distilled liquor, 17 BL of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), 99 BL of beer, 115 BL of country spirit, 259 BL of Odisha State liquor, and 124,030 BL of fermented wash. Enforcement officials also confiscated 13,950 kg of gur wash, 33 litres of duplicate foreign liquor, 40 kg of ganja, 711 kg of mohua flower, and 80 kg of brown sugar.

Additionally, 42 vehicles used in the illegal trade were impounded. The total value of the seizures on September 13 was pegged at ₹1,15,36,517, taking the cumulative value of contraband seized since September 1 to ₹18,03,74,970.

The Excise Department reaffirmed its commitment to curbing illicit liquor and narcotics, stressing that such enforcement measures are vital to protecting public health and ensuring strict law and order across the state.