Bhubaneswar, September 5: In the run-up to Durga Puja festivities, the excise department has intensified its crackdown on illegal drugs, liquor, narcotics across the State.
During the last four days – September 1 to 4 – the enforcement teams of the Excise department has detected 902 cases, arrested 511 persons, and made seizures valued at Rs 3.91 crore. The drive also led to the registration of 29 NDPS cases, resulting in the seizure of 320 Kg of Ganja and 560 grams of brown sugar.
On Thursday (September 4) alone, the department detected 254 cases, arrested 148 persons, and seized illicit liquor and drugs worth Rs 1.39 crore. This included 8 NDPS cases, with recoveries of 84 Kg of ganja, 194 grams of brown sugar, 13 Kg of bhanga, and 840 kg of Mohua flower, 22 vehicles in different categories.
A major breakthrough came from the Flying Squad, which seized 194 grams of Brown Sugar worth Rs 20.4 lakh in a single operation, underscoring the Department’s determination to dismantle drug networks.
