The Telangana Excise Department has intensified its crackdown on non-duty-paid liquor (NDPL) and illicitly distilled liquor, registering 3,086 cases and arresting 2,707 people over the past two months. Excise officials also seized 487 vehicles as part of the enforcement drive aimed at curbing illegal liquor production, smuggling and distribution across the state.
The department registered 1,646 cases during the previous month and another 1,420 cases in the current month, reflecting intensified surveillance and inspections by local excise station staff, including inspectors and sub-inspectors, as well as the Special Task Force, Enforcement teams and District Task Force units.
A major focus of the Telangana Excise Department has been the detection and destruction of illicitly distilled liquor because of the public health risks associated with unregulated production and consumption. In July, officials seized 6,074 litres of illicit liquor, destroyed 90,740 litres of jaggery wash and confiscated 30,329 kg of jaggery used in the production of illicit alcohol.
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Enforcement operations continued to intensify in August, when officials seized another 5,010 litres of illicitly distilled liquor. Excise teams destroyed jaggery wash capable of producing approximately 73,480 litres of illicit liquor at the spot and seized an additional 17,840 kg of jaggery.
The department has also stepped up surveillance against non-duty-paid liquor being smuggled into Telangana from states where liquor is available at comparatively lower prices, including Delhi, Haryana and Goa. In August, Mettupally Excise officials intercepted two consignments transported from the Bhiwandi and Haveli areas of Maharashtra. The consignments contained 70 boxes and 30 boxes of liquor respectively.
At Pahadishareef, excise officials have been intercepting liquor transported from Goa during vehicle checks. Enforcement teams have also begun regular inspections of tourist buses and trains arriving in Telangana from Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and other tourist destinations to prevent interstate liquor smuggling.
Over the two-month enforcement period, officials seized 2,558 liquor bottles during inspections. The confiscated liquor is estimated to be worth around ₹50 lakh, highlighting the scale of the department’s efforts to prevent the illegal movement and sale of liquor in the state.
The Telangana Excise Department has further expanded the enforcement campaign to cover narcotics. During the same two-month period, officials seized 872 kg of cannabis valued at approximately ₹4 crore, along with other drugs.
The intensified enforcement campaign reflects Telangana’s broader efforts to combat illicit liquor production, NDPL smuggling and related illegal activities. Increased field inspections, inter-district surveillance and monitoring of interstate transport are expected to remain key components of the department’s enforcement strategy.
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