Sambalpur: A huge quantity of duplicate foreign liquor was seized and one person was arrested by excise sleuths from Ranibandha area of Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Friday.
Acting on an information about an illegal foreign liquor manufacturing in the area, a special team of excise officials carried out raids at some factories at Ranibandha, sources said.
A large number of bottles of duplicate foreign liquor, tools and other articles used in packaging were seized from a site during the operation. One person, identified as Suraj Behera, was arrested in this connection
It was alleged that duplicate and adulterated liquor was being prepared at the unit by mixing different spirits and other materials. These were being packed in bottles with labels of some popular imported foreign brands.
Behera, however, claimed that he had no knowledge about the manufacturing of fake foreign liquor. He claimed that another person who was living in the house on rent might have stocked the liquor bottles.
Excise officials reportedly said that a racket is behind the manufacturing of the fake foreign liquor and someone in Kolkata happens to be the kingpin. Spirit and other materials were being supplied ot the accused for making fake foreigh liquor.
The fake products were being sold to gullible customers at lower prices, they said.
