Patna: Despite Bihar’s prohibition law, official figures suggest that the smuggling and consumption of liquor remain widespread, with foreign liquor accounting for a larger share of seizures than country-made liquor during the first five months of 2026.
According to the latest report by the Prohibition and State Narcotics Control Bureau, authorities seized 17.53 lakh litres of illicit liquor between January and May this year. Foreign liquor constituted the majority of the recovered stock, highlighting continued demand and supply despite the statewide ban.
Drinkers Outnumber Smugglers in Arrests
The report states that 56,904 people were arrested between January and May 2026 in connection with prohibition-related offences.
Of these, 19,877 people were arrested for smuggling or selling liquor, while 37,027 were arrested for consuming alcohol. The number of people booked for drinking was nearly twice the number arrested for illegal sale or transportation.
In comparison, 125,575 people were arrested on charges related to the sale and consumption of liquor during 2025.
Foreign Liquor Accounts for Majority of Seizures
The Prohibition Department reported that 1,753,333 litres of illicit liquor were seized across Bihar during the first five months of 2026.
The seizures included:
- Country-made liquor: 801,537 litres
- Foreign liquor: 951,796 litres
The estimated value of the seized liquor has been pegged at Rs 140,95,37,740.
In a separate operation, the special wing of the Prohibition Bureau recovered an additional 531,183 litres of liquor.
Similar Trend Recorded in 2025
The report indicates that foreign liquor also accounted for a marginally higher share of total seizures in 2025.
Authorities recovered 3,775,321 litres of illicit liquor during the year, comprising:
- Country-made liquor: 1,874,308 litres
- Foreign liquor: 1,901,013 litres
The total estimated value of liquor seized in 2025 stood at Rs 293,58,14,246.
Crackdown on Narcotics Continues
Alongside prohibition enforcement, officials continued operations against narcotics and other banned substances.
Between January and May 2026, enforcement agencies seized:
- 906,907 narcotic pills and capsules
- 335,309 narcotic injections
- 242,960 bottles of prohibited cough syrup
Persistent Demand Raises Enforcement Challenge
The latest figures indicate that foreign liquor continues to circulate in Bihar despite the prohibition policy. The report also highlights ongoing concerns over the availability of narcotics, particularly among young people.
According to the Prohibition and State Narcotics Control Bureau, enforcement agencies are continuing operations against liquor smuggling networks and the illegal trade in narcotic substances across the state.
