Patna: The Bihar Police’s ongoing vehicle checking drive against liquor smuggling in border areas has yielded major successes this year, with over 6,531 liters of illegal liquor seized between January and July.
The maximum quantity, 4,467 liters, was intercepted along the Uttar Pradesh border, followed by 1,949 liters on the Jharkhand border and 115 liters on the West Bengal border. During these operations, cases were registered against 123 alleged smugglers and 45 people were arrested.
98% of Seized Liquor Destroyed
According to the Prohibition and Excise Department, since prohibition came into force in Bihar, 4,09,10,714 liters of liquor have been seized, of which 98% has been destroyed. Authorities have confiscated 1,48,432 vehicles for involvement in liquor smuggling, releasing 96,060 of them through auctions or after collecting fines.
Technology Boost to Enforcement
To strengthen surveillance, the police have expanded the use of drones and motorboats. Between January and July 2025, drones were used in 21,331 raids, resulting in 1,589 cases and the seizure of 7,31,461 liters of liquor. Similarly, 11,088 raids by motorboats led to 374 cases and the recovery of 1,76,684 liters of liquor.
Checkpost inspections in all 38 districts led to the arrest of 22,500 people, including 16,211 for alcohol consumption and 6,395 for selling liquor.
Crackdown on Illegal Liquor Factories
During the same period, 43 illegal liquor manufacturing units were busted in Aurangabad, Begusarai, Bhojpur, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Patna, Rohtas, Samastipur and Vaishali districts, leading to the arrest of 61 people. Action was taken against 71 liquor mafias under the Crime Control Act (CCA).
In addition, 18,338.85 liters of spirit used in liquor production was seized from 12 districts, with 59 cases registered and 51 arrests. Nineteen vehicles linked to the illegal trade were also confiscated.
