Excise officials arrest 651 persons in crackdown on illicit liquor, drugs across Telangana

A special enforcement drive launched by the Telangana Prohibition and Excise Department against illicitly distilled liquor, non-duty paid liquor, narcotic substances and marijuana has resulted in the registration of 841 cases and the arrest of 651 persons across the State between June 12 and June 21.

The drive was conducted following directions issued by the Director of Enforcement, Avinash Mohanty, after he assumed charge. Officials said the special operations targeted the production, transportation and consumption of illicit country liquor, commonly known as Gudumba, while also focusing on non-duty paid liquor (NDPL), drugs and marijuana.

Acting on the directions of Mr. Mohanty, a State-wide special drive was taken up from June 12 to June 21, with the primary objective of suppressing illicit liquor manufacturing and distribution networks.

Special Task Force (STF), Enforcement and District Task Force (DTF) teams, along with excise station personnel, carried out coordinated raids and inspections across Telangana. During the drive, officials also seized 119 vehicles allegedly used in the commission of offences.

The department said 3,191 litres of illicitly distilled liquor were seized across the jurisdictions of ten Excise Deputy Commissioners. In addition, 64,435 litres of jaggery wash used in the manufacture of illicit liquor were destroyed and 8,377 kg of jaggery was seized.

Warangal recorded the highest number of cases related to illicit liquor, with 260 cases registered and 206 persons arrested. Officials seized 1,400 litres of illicit liquor in the district.

Karimnagar reported the second-highest enforcement activity, with 108 cases registered, 76 arrests and the seizure of 310 litres of illicit liquor.

In Nalgonda, officials registered 86 cases, arrested 58 persons and seized 260 litres of illicit liquor. Adilabad followed with 80 cases, 76 arrests and the seizure of 298 litres of illicit liquor.

The department also seized 362.72 litres of non-duty paid liquor during the special drive. Ranga Reddy district recorded the highest NDPL seizure at 206.56 litres. Hyderabad accounted for 66 litres of seized NDPL, while Medak reported seizures of 49.32 litres.

Apart from liquor-related offences, excise officials seized 114.32 kg of marijuana, 41 grams of MDMA, 310 grams of cocaine and 6.3 grams of heroin during the enforcement operations.