Ramanaguda police in Rayagada district achieved a major success by seizing 356 litres of foreign liquor being illegally transported in a Bolero vehicle. Police also arrested two persons in connection with the smuggling.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Anuj Kumar Yadav of Bihar and Ganesh Himirika of Debadala village under Chandili police station. The seized vehicle bore registration number OD-07F-9444.
According to police sources, during routine patrolling yesterday, officers received a tip-off and intercepted the Bolero. On searching the vehicle, they recovered a large quantity of foreign liquor of various brands. Investigations revealed that the consignment was being smuggled from Rayagada district towards Gajapati district.
Police have registered a case under Ramanaguda PS Case No. 2 and produced the accused in court. Authorities are probing further to identify the source of the liquor, its intended recipients, and other individuals involved in the smuggling network.
It is noteworthy that Anuj Kumar Yadav had earlier been arrested in connection with supplying fake liquor in the district. He was out on bail but allegedly resumed the illegal trade, leading to his latest arrest.
Local traders have complained that the flourishing fake liquor business has harmed genuine foreign liquor dealers. Moreover, there are allegations that consumption of spurious liquor has cost lives in the region, while enforcement agencies have been accused of lax monitoring.
