Muzaffarpur, Bihar: In a significant crackdown, the Production Department team, led by Chief Product Officer Abhinav Kumar and Inspector Pinki Kumar, exposed an illicit foreign liquor factory operating inside a two-story house in Raghopur village, under the jurisdiction of Ahaiyapur police station. The raid, initiated on Saturday night at 8 PM, continued until 11 PM, resulting in the apprehension of four individuals engaged in the production and distribution of counterfeit foreign liquor.
During the operation, a pickup truck was seized, containing thousands of empty bottles, materials for packaging illicit liquor, more than 10 empty 25-liter spirit gallons, wrappers, and other related items. Among the arrested individuals was a key figure associated with the production of fake foreign liquor. Additionally, approximately five cartons of counterfeit foreign liquor were confiscated.
Modus Operandi:
Abhinav Kumar, Chief Product Officer, revealed that they received information about the clandestine operation producing fake foreign liquor inside the two-story house in Raghopur. The facility was reportedly sourcing spirit from other states, packaging it as foreign liquor, and supplying it to open markets. Inspector Pinki Kumar led a special team, monitoring the entire operation during the raid.
Further Investigations:
The suspects are currently being interrogated to gather information about the supply network and accomplices involved in the production of counterfeit liquor. The team is also conducting a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the illegal operation and its connections to other illicit activities.
Long-Running Operation:
It has come to light through the scrutiny of the Production Department that the illegal foreign liquor factory in the two-story house in Raghopur had been in operation for an extended period. The production involved sourcing spirit from other states, packaging it, and distributing it to various locations using the pickup truck.
Parallel Raid in Patna:
In a related incident, authorities seized 104 gallons of spirit in Jakariyapur, suspecting its use in the production of toxic liquor. A manager from the warehouse was arrested, raising concerns about the potential spread of adulterated liquor in Patna and surrounding areas. The seized spirit was reportedly sourced from Maharashtra, highlighting the interstate connections in the illegal liquor trade.
The black market value of confiscated spirit is estimated to be around 30-35 lakh INR. Authorities are intensifying efforts to curb the illegal liquor trade to prevent tragic incidents associated with the consumption of adulterated liquor.
