Kolkata: In a special preventive operation conducted in Uluberia at Howrah district on Thursday morning, the Excise department has made a huge seizure of illicit liquor along with fermented wash. The department has also seized a four-wheeler and a motor boat of approximately 40 feet, taking the total valuation of the confiscated material up to Rs 82 lakhs.
The huge seizure assumes significance in the backdrop of various agencies stepping up their activities following the announcement of assembly elections in the state.
According to a senior official of the Excise department, the raid was conducted on the basis of reliable information that was received from a source. A number of distillation spots under the joint supervision of Deputy Excise Collectors (DECs) of Andul and Uluberia Range within Howrah Rural Excise district were raided. Two teams of Excise officers and staff conducted two separate but synchronous raids through waterways and roadways.
The joint efforts led to the seizure of fermented wash of around 8000 litres and illicit liquor amounting to 2400 litres. The total valuation of the articles, excluding the conveyances, is around Rs 52 lakhs. The valuation of the seized motor boat is around Rs 15 lakhs.
“Investigation in both cases is underway and a breakthrough is soon expected,” said a senior official of the Excise department.
Recently, the Singur excise district made a major seizure of liquor, vehicles and other articles used for making fake liquor on a large scale worth Rs 12.30 lakh.
Another major seizure of the same nature was made on March 31 at the Kalimpong district, where the total valuation was Rs 31 lakh.