Patna: The Bihar police, working with the state’s Prohibition and Excise Department, have prepared detailed profiles of 22 major liquor mafias involved in organised smuggling across the state. The crackdown spans eight districts in Bihar and extends to links in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, officials said.
According to authorities, a total of 167 cases have been registered against these individuals at police and excise stations. The state government is now moving to seize properties allegedly acquired through illegal liquor trade, marking a sharper phase of enforcement under Bihar’s prohibition regime.
Of the 22 identified mafias, 13 are currently in jail, while the remaining suspects are absconding. Action under section 3 of the Bihar Crime Control Act (CCA) has already been taken against 11 individuals, allowing stricter surveillance and preventive measures.
District-wise data shows Begusarai has the highest number, with five liquor mafias identified. This is followed by Saran (four),Bhagalpur and Gopalganj (three each), and Patna, West Champaran and East Champaran (two each). One accused has been identified in Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Araria, Purnia and Nawada.
Among the most prominent names is Rakesh Mahto of Muzaffarpur, who faces 20 cases, the highest among those listed. Avadhesh, a resident of Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, has 14 cases registered across Bihar and UP. Others include Pappu Ram of Bhagalpur (12 cases),Saurabh Kumar alias Taan Singh of Nawada (10 cases), and Vikas Yadav of Purnia and Ramkishore Singh alias Diwani Singh of Begusarai with nine cases each.
Officials said investigators have been instructed to fast-track probes and trials signalling the government’s intent to deliver quicker legal outcomes in high-profile liquor smuggling cases.
