Jharsuguda Police launched a major raid in Khajuriapada under Badhara village near Hirakud reservoir, busting multiple illicit liquor units and arresting eight accused.
Acting on intelligence inputs, police carried out a coordinated pre-dawn combing operation under the Rengali Police Station jurisdiction. Senior officers supervised the raid with the deployment of three platoons, including women personnel, in the presence of Executive Magistrate-cum-Additional Tehsildar, Lakhanpur.
Police dismantled 17 brewing chulhas and seized 870 litres of illicit distilled liquor, over 30 quintals of mahua pocha, and destroyed 20 quintals of fermented mahua wash. Officers also confiscated one four-wheeler, four two-wheelers, utensils, drums, distillation equipment, and other incriminating materials.
Authorities arrested eight accused and registered seven cases under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Odisha Excise Act. Investigators confirmed that the racket operated in remote interior areas along the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border.
Preliminary findings suggest involvement of an organised interstate liquor smuggling network. Police said further investigation is underway to identify other persons connected to the syndicate.
