Hazaribagh, July 15: In one of the biggest crackdowns on liquor smuggling in Jharkhand, a joint team of the Jharkhand Police and Bihar Police seized a truck carrying illegal Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth around ₹1.5 crore and arrested three alleged smugglers in Hazaribagh district, officials said on Tuesday.
The operation was carried out in Rasoiya Dhamna village under the Barhi police station limits following a tip-off received by Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police Aman Kumar from the Bihar CID about a large consignment of liquor allegedly being transported to Bihar.
Officials said police recovered 1,190 cases of IMFL, containing 10,602.36 litres of liquor, describing it as the largest seizure of illegal liquor in Hazaribag district.
The arrested accused have been identified as Rakesh Kumar (27), the truck driver, Khirodhar Saw alias Gulab Saw (32), who was allegedly driving the escort vehicle, and Sunny Kumar (28). All three are residents of Barhi.
According to police, the liquor consignment was allegedly being smuggled into Bihar with the assistance of local smugglers. A Hyundai Creta SUV without registration number plates, allegedly being used as an escort vehicle, was also seized during the operation.
The joint raid was led by Barhi SDPO Radha Prem Kishore, with assistance from the Bihar Police Narcotics Team. Acting on the intelligence input, the police intercepted the truck and the escort vehicle near the Rasoiya Dhamna Toll Plaza.
“The liquor consignment was being transported to Bihar with the help of local smugglers,” SDPO Radha Prem Kishore said.
He added, “An SUV without number plates, which was being used as an escort, was also seized.”
“The vehicles were intercepted near Rasoiya Dhamna toll plaza with the assistance of Bihar Police’s narcotics team,” the SDPO said.
Police said one suspect fled into nearby bushes after noticing the police team, while the drivers of the truck and escort vehicle attempted to escape but were apprehended.
During interrogation, the arrested accused allegedly admitted that the liquor was meant to be smuggled into Bihar.
“During questioning, the accused admitted that the liquor was meant to be smuggled into Bihar,” Barhi Police said.
The seized consignment comprised 299 cases of 750 ml bottles, 592 cases of 350 ml bottles and 299 cases of 180 ml bottles. Police also confiscated the truck used for transporting the liquor and the escort vehicle.
“The liquor consignment was destined for Bihar,” Barhi Police Station In-charge Vinod Kumar said.
A case has been registered, and police are investigating the smuggling network to identify other individuals involved in the interstate racket.
