Balasore: As part of pre-election drive, the Excise officials conducted a raid on a hotel and seized huge amount of illicit liquor in Odisha’s Balasore district on Thursday.
Following reliable information about the stock of illicitly distilled liquor in Hotel Basundhara at Basta of the district, the Excise sleuths carried out the raid.
They seized around 1,500 litre of illicit liquor and Rs 8 lakh in cash from inside the Hotel. Five motorcycles and 3 scooters, apparently used for supply of illicit liquor to different villages, were also seized.
The total value of seized articles was estimated to be Rs 20 lakh. The Excise officials have arrested 10 persons involved in the illicit liquor business.
The raiding team was led by Deputy Superintendent of Excise CH Tirupati. Sanjit Barla, Inspector of Excise, Mobile Unit and Diptimayee Sahoo, Inspector of Excise, Sadar and other excise staff took part in the raid. A case has been filed in connection with the seizure of illicit liquor and further investigation is on.
The main accused in the racket, Pratap Keshari Mohapatra and Pralap Mohapatra, who are running the hotel, absconded during the raid. The Excise officials have started an operation to trace them and others suspected to be involved in the organised illicit liquor distillation and distribution.
“In view of upcoming simultaneous elections in Odisha, raids have been intensified across the state. The raids will continue to bust the networks of illicit liquor mafias,” said Excise Commissioner Narasingha Bhol.
It may be noted that a bar and restaurant in Khurda, an OS (Mahua liquor) shop and two country liquor shops have been sealed in view of the involvement of the licensee in illicit liquor trade.
