Jharsuguda: In a major crackdown on illegal liquor manufacturing and trafficking, Jharsuguda Police on Friday conducted an extensive excise raid in Mohanpur and Ujalpur villages under Belpahar police station limits and apprehended nine persons allegedly involved in the illicit trade.
The operation was jointly carried out by teams from Belpahar and Lakhanpur police stations with support from Brajrajnagar Police and armed personnel in the presence of an Executive Magistrate.
During the raid, police seized 722 litres of illicit Mahua liquor, 47 quintals of Mahua flower, 10 kilograms of urea and other materials used in the brewing process.
Police also destroyed around 12 quintals of fermented Mahua pocha at the spot as part of the enforcement action.
A total of nine excise cases have been registered under relevant provisions of the Odisha Excise Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said verification of the criminal antecedents of the accused persons is currently underway.
Jharsuguda Police stated that strict action against illegal liquor manufacturing and trafficking would continue in order to safeguard public health and maintain law and order in the district.