Patna: In a major crackdown on liquor smuggling, Police in Bihta have seized illegal liquor worth Rs 25 lakh and arrested five people in two separate operations on Tuesday. The liquor, sourced from Uttar Pradesh, was being smuggled into Patna despite the state’s stringent prohibition laws.
Truck Carrying 188 Cartons of Liquor Intercepted
Acting on a tip-off, Bihta police launched a vehicle-checking operation near the Parev Son River Bridge after receiving information that a large consignment of English liquor was being transported from Bhojpur to Maner.
During the operation, police signalled a truck to stop, but the driver attempted to flee. Officers pursued and intercepted the vehicle, uncovering 188 cartons of liquor hidden under a tarpaulin in the truck’s rear. The estimated market value of the seized consignment is Rs 25 lakh.
The truck driver, Bablu Kumar, a resident of Gauraiya village, Maner, and his assistant, Satish Kumar, from Pathlautia village, Bihta, were arrested. During questioning, they revealed that the consignment was intended for delivery in Maner.
Rising Liquor Smuggling Despite Prohibition
Despite the statewide liquor ban, illegal liquor smuggling continues to thrive in Bihar, with smugglers adopting new methods to evade law enforcement. SHO Rajkumar Pandey stated that police are investigating the supply chain to identify the larger network behind the smuggling racket.
