Patna: Ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, Bihar has intensified security in its border districts to curb the smuggling of liquor, narcotics, and weapons. The state police will establish 393 checkposts across 23 identified locations, while a further 176 checkposts are planned along districts bordering neighbouring states, including 96 in Uttar Pradesh, 34 in West Bengal, and 46 in Jharkhand.
Amit Kumar Jain, Additional Director General of Police (Prohibition Unit), detailed the measures during a press conference at Sardar Patel Bhavan police headquarters on Monday.
“The operations are aimed at preventing the illegal movement of alcohol and other contraband, especially during the election period,” Jain said. “Since January, our teams have seized more than 6.2 lakh litres of illicit liquor, worth approximately Rs 72.64 crore. This includes over 12,500 litres of locally brewed liquor, around 5.74 lakh litres of foreign liquor, and 77,000 litres of spirit – a 16% increase over last year.”
Since the enforcement of Bihar’s prohibition law in 2016, authorities have confiscated over 2.75 crore litres of liquor, of which 97% has been destroyed.
The ADG also highlighted coordinated efforts with neighbouring states and Nepal. “In 2025 alone, 188 meetings were held with border districts and agencies in Nepal to curb cross-border smuggling. Several meetings with adjoining Indian states and central agencies have also been conducted,” he added.
Over 84,000 arrests
As of August, 84,789 individuals have been arrested in connection with illicit liquor, including 52,470 consumers, 2,416 guarantors, and 29,903 suppliers or distributors. Criminal records for 14,083 individuals have been updated, with 1,548 booked under Section 129 of the Bihar and Orissa Excise Act and 1,344 under Section 3 of the Criminal Conduct Act.
Authorities have also identified 305 people involved in smuggling liquor from other states. Lists of these individuals were shared with police forces in the respective states in July, and at least five suspects have already been arrested.
Most smuggled liquor originates from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Arunachal Pradesh. Officials use QR codes and batch numbers on seized bottles to trace wholesalers and retailers, with enforcement action taken accordingly.
