Chandauli: Chandauli police have busted an interstate Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) smuggling network and arrested five people in a joint operation involving Alinagar police, the SWAT team and the surveillance team. Police seized 775 cartons of IMFL containing around 6,935 litres of liquor, estimated to be worth more than Rs 1.2 crore, which was allegedly being transported to Bihar for sale at higher prices.
According to police, the liquor had been purchased at comparatively lower prices from Delhi and Chandigarh and was being transported to Bihar, where the accused allegedly planned to sell it at higher rates. The seizure comes as part of enforcement efforts against the illegal movement of liquor into Bihar, where prohibition remains in force.
Chandauli CO (PDDU Nagar) Arun Kumar Singh said the operation was launched following a tip-off about the movement of a liquor-laden truck. Alinagar police set up a checking drive near Singhitali Bridge on NH-19, where officers attempted to stop the vehicle. The truck driver allegedly tried to run over the police team and flee, but the personnel managed to surround the vehicle and bring it to a halt.
Three suspects, identified as Gulam Mustafa, Sheikh Khalid and Sabir Alam, were arrested from the truck. During a search, police found the liquor concealed beneath 70 sacks. The consignment included bottles of different IMFL brands. Police said the bottles carried the marking “For Sale in UT Chandigarh Only”, while their barcodes had been scratched off, indicating an attempt to conceal their origin and intended market.
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During interrogation, the arrested suspects allegedly told police that an SUV was travelling ahead of the truck and providing them with information about police locations and checking points. Acting on this information, the police intercepted the SUV and arrested two more suspects, identified as Razauddin and Om Chinmay Panda. Five ATM cards were also recovered from the SUV.
Police have registered a case at Alinagar police station under relevant legal provisions. The investigation is underway to identify other members of the interstate liquor smuggling network and determine the wider supply chain behind the seized IMFL consignment.
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