Bhubaneswar: Excise sleuths uncovered a country liquor-making distillery hidden within the densely packed residential area of Salia Sahi slum on Saturday. The operation led to the seizure of 5,000 litres of country-made liquor and the arrest of three individuals.
Acting on a tip-off, the personnel raided the storage and manufacturing units, subsequently destroying the raw materials. Over the past two years, joint efforts by excise and police have resulted in the seizure of one lakh litres of liquor in the locality, officials stated.
“The raid was carried out at Nilachakra Nagar, Nayagarh Basti and Idco Basti. Mahua extract was seized and destroyed at the spot. We found about 12,200 litres of fermented wash, utensils used for liquor preparation, and a motorcycle,” said excise superintendent Debashis Patel.
The accused were identified as Sulochana Soren, Sukanti Hembram, and Rabindra Hembram. Rabindra managed to flee during the raid, officials added.
Patel stated that the liquor was being produced clandestinely in the slum, evading the authorities. “The liquor was being supplied in Salia Sahi and other slums as well,” he noted. “The discovery of this hidden distillery highlights the lengths to which individuals go to evade the law.”
The excise authorities have intensified raids across the capital to combat illegal liquor production and sales, especially during the festive season. “We are intensifying our efforts to ensure that such illegal activities are curbed effectively,” Patel added.
This operation follows similar raids in March and September of last year in Salia Sahi, where officials targeted illegal country liquor dens, seizing large quantities of liquor and raw materials, and arresting nine people.
