The Excise Department in Gautam Buddh Nagar has uncovered a major illegal liquor smuggling network and seized illicit liquor worth nearly ₹20 lakh. The successful operation highlights the department’s strategic intelligence gathering and vigilant enforcement efforts against organized liquor trafficking.
According to officials, the illicit liquor was being transported to Manipur after being concealed inside wooden crates, indicating a sophisticated smuggling operation designed to evade detection. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a team led by District Excise Officer Subodh Kumar Srivastava launched a well-planned operation to track the network.
During the investigation, authorities discovered that liquor sourced from Haryana was being transported to various northeastern states through concealed routes. Smugglers had reportedly hidden liquor cartons inside wooden boxes loaded onto trucks in an attempt to avoid scrutiny from police and enforcement agencies.
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The excise team intercepted a suspicious truck and conducted a thorough search, leading to the recovery of a large quantity of illegal liquor. Investigators found that the cartons had been packed in a manner that made them appear like ordinary commercial goods, making detection difficult during routine inspections.
One accused person, including the truck driver, was arrested from the spot, while efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the smuggling syndicate. Officials believe the seizure has dealt a significant blow to the network’s operations.
Excise authorities stated that such illegal activities not only result in substantial revenue losses to the government but also pose serious risks to public health and safety. Illicit liquor often bypasses regulatory quality checks, making it a potential threat to consumers.
Officials further revealed that a sustained campaign against illegal liquor trade has been underway for some time, and this operation represents one of the department’s major successes. The Excise Department has reiterated its commitment to continue similar enforcement drives and take strict action against liquor mafias and smuggling syndicates.
The incident once again demonstrates that despite increasingly sophisticated smuggling techniques, coordinated intelligence and vigilant enforcement remain effective tools in curbing illegal liquor trade. Senior excise officials have appreciated the operation and expressed confidence that such actions will help deter future illegal activities and strengthen regulatory compliance across the state.
Sultanpur Excise Department Registers Significant Progress in Revenue Collection and Enforcement
The Sultanpur Excise Department has reported notable achievements over the past three months in revenue generation, enforcement activities, and administrative reforms. Under the leadership of Dharmendra Verma, who is currently serving as District Excise Officer, Sultanpur, the department has witnessed measurable improvements in performance and governance.
Departmental records indicate that Sultanpur’s excise ranking, which earlier hovered between 35th and 40th position, has improved significantly and now falls between 12th and 20th position within just three months. Officials attribute this progress to improved management practices and more effective field operations.
For the financial year 2026-27, a total of 28 new liquor retail outlets have been sanctioned in the district, including 16 country liquor shops and 12 composite liquor outlets. Additionally, nearly 99 percent of existing country liquor and composite shops have been successfully renewed.
The department has also expanded the CL5CC category (country liquor plus beer) retail network. Along with the renewal of all 28 existing outlets, approval has been granted for six new CL5CC shops, which are expected to contribute positively to revenue growth.
Enforcement against illicit liquor has been intensified, with continuous action being taken against illegal brewing and unauthorized sales. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to convert composite liquor outlets into modern model shops, providing a more organized and consumer-friendly retail environment.
The department is also working to improve customer facilities at country liquor shops by introducing seating arrangements and better infrastructure, a facility that was previously unavailable at many locations. Officials believe these improvements will not only enhance customer experience but also contribute to better law-and-order management around liquor outlets.
In terms of infrastructure development, three new CL-2 wholesale country liquor warehouses have been approved in the district during the past three months. Efforts are also underway to operationalize a new licensed distillery unit under the state’s investment promotion initiatives.
On the revenue front, the department has recorded an impressive 108.51 percent growth in excise revenue during April 2026-27 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Digital payment adoption has also increased substantially. The percentage of transactions conducted through POS machines at excise shops has risen from around 62–67 percent earlier to nearly 91 percent by April 2026.
Officials believe that wider adoption of digital payment systems and modern retail practices will further enhance transparency, improve compliance, and strengthen revenue collection in the coming years. The recent achievements have established a new identity for the Sultanpur Excise Department as a proactive and performance-driven administrative unit
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