4815 LITRES OF IMFL SEIZED, TWO ARRESTED

4815 LITRES OF IMFL SEIZED, TWO ARRESTED

12-AUG-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA-------------------------In a major operation early Tuesday morning, the Excise Department team seized approximately 4,815 liters of liquor from a 14-wheeler truck at the integrated check-post on the Delhi-Kolkata Highway. The estimated value of the seized liquor is between ₹70 lakh and ₹75 lakh. The truck driver and his helper have been arrested in connection with the case. According to the Excise Department, while inspecting the truck (bearing registration number PB13B8166) arriving from the direction of Uttar Pradesh, officials discovered a secret iron compartment concealed amidst a load of manure (decomposed cow dung). A large consignment of liquor was being smuggled into Bihar hidden within this compartment. Upon opening the compartment during the search, liquor bottles were recovered.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Nitesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar, both residents of Haryana. Interrogation revealed that the liquor consignment was being transported from Punjab to Bihar. Excise Department officials stated that the smugglers had erased the batch numbers from the bottles to conceal the liquor's origin and identity before delivery to dealers. Santosh Kumar, the Inspector in-charge of the excise check-post, stated that vehicle inspections were being conducted based on a tip-off. During this process, the truck was intercepted and searched, leading to the recovery of approximately 4,815 liters of liquor hidden in the secret iron compartment. The seized liquor is valued at ₹70–75 lakh. Both arrested individuals are currently being interrogated, and efforts are underway to identify other individuals linked to this liquor smuggling network and determine their roles.