Bhubaneswar, December 22: Contraband estimated to be worth Rs 1.64 crore was seized by the Excise Department in the first two days – Saturday and Sunday – of its Special Enforcement Drive, launched on December 20 in coordination with the police across the State.
In the drive launched to target excise violations around new year celebrations, enforcement teams booked 318 cases, including four under NDPS Act, and arrested 134 persons. At many as 12 vehicles were also seized, pointing to organised logistics supporting illegal liquor and narcotics operations.
Officials recovered 1,89,320 bulk litres of fermented wash, 8,200 kg of gur wash and 880 kg of mahua flowers — raw materials commonly used in illicit distillation. This was in addition to 19,175 bulk litres of illicitly distilled liquor and 485 bulk litres of duty-paid liquor.
Narcotics recoveries included 3 kg of ganja and 117 grams of brown sugar.
Officials said the drive aims to dismantle production hubs and supply chains, with sustained, intelligence-led enforcement
