In Odisha, the amount of illicit alcohol seized increases before elections

In the midst of a tremendous crackdown on contraband ahead of the elections, security and other agencies have seen a significant increase in the quantity of illegal booze they have seized.

Media representatives were notified by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunja Dhal on Thursday that illicit funds and other items valued at more than Rs 118 crore have been apprehended by state and federal authorities between March 1 and April 18. This contained ganja and brown sugar worth Rs 43.69 crore.

According to the excise agency, at least twice as much illegal alcohol has been seized this month as usual. “Compared to regular periods, the amount of illegal booze seized so far in March and April is much greater. Excise Commissioner Narasingha Bhol said, “Illegal liquor manufacturing has increased, and as a result, action is being taken.”

Large amounts of illegal alcohol have reportedly been found by the Excise department in the districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Bargarh, according to sources.

Odisha Police initiated a large-scale campaign against ganja transportation in response to worries expressed by a number of other states that the contraband would be given away as gifts before elections.

The three-month ganja cultivation season begins in September. According to reports, the Odisha Police began a large operation to curb the threat well in advance of the polls announcement, when police forces from neighboring states voiced their concerns over the transit of ganja from Odisha at meetings held by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

In Odisha, some 484 checkpoints have been installed, in addition to 120 checkpoints in nearby regions. ADG Law and Order Sanjay Kumar said, “There are 485 mobile check-posts throughout the state to check any unlawful activity like transportation of illegal cash, contraband, illicit liquor, arms and other articles.”

According to Dhal, unaccounted cash worth Rs 2.07 crore, illegal liquor valued at Rs 18.19 crore, gold worth Rs 7.17 crore, and other items totaling Rs 47.44 crore have been recovered by state and federal authorities.

According to him, the departments of Revenue Intelligence (R&I) at Rs 6.44 crore, the Excise department at Rs 30 crore, the state GST at Rs 17 crore, the Transport department at Rs 1.19 crore, Income Tax at Rs 73 lakh, and the Forest department at Rs 95 lakh have all made the largest seizures. Hal.