In a major crackdown on liquor smuggling to the dry state of Bihar, police in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh, exposed a new modus operandi used by smugglers. A consignment of 224.44 liters of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) of various brands, packed in bottles of 180 ml, 350 ml, and 750 ml, was seized. The total value of the consignment was estimated at Rs 22.5 lakh. The liquor was ingeniously concealed in tin boxes originally used for packing potash, a chemical fertilizer.
Police Operation Details
Chandauli Superintendent of Police (SP) Aakash Patel stated that acting on a tip-off, personnel from Saiyedraja police station and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team cordoned off the national highway leading to Bihar near Jethamalpur village. They intercepted a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a truck. The SUV was found to be piloting the truck carrying the liquor consignment.
Seizure and Arrests
During the check, police found four individuals seated in the SUV. Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered four tin boxes labeled 'potash'. When opened, these boxes revealed bottles of IMFL packed inside, cushioned with wood shavings to prevent damage. The truck was then inspected, and 163 similar tin boxes labeled 'potash' were found. In total, 167 tin boxes of potash were recovered from both vehicles.
The police arrested five individuals: Sandeep Kumar, Sumit Singh, Devendra Singh, Anil Kumar Panchal from Haryana, and Sajan Rathore from Madhya Pradesh. Along with the liquor, their mobile phones were seized.
Interrogation Revelations
During interrogation, the smugglers disclosed that they had procured the liquor from the industrial area of Chandigarh, where it was packed into the potash tins. The SUV was used as a pilot vehicle to keep the truck driver alert about police checkposts along the route. The consignment was destined for delivery in Hajipur and Muzaffarpur in Bihar.
The use of potash tins is a new tactic by smugglers to evade detection, as these containers are commonly used for agricultural chemicals and may not raise immediate suspicion. The police continue to investigate the broader network involved in this smuggling operation.
