Bhubaneswar: Odisha excise department sleuths have arrested 163 persons and seized narcotics, duplicate liquor and other contraband worth Rs 8.27 crore in a special drive launched across the state ahead of Durga Puja festival.
A total of 154 cases were registered against the accused persons during the state-wide special drive carried out by the excise department from September 21 to 30, the department said in a press release on Sunday.
During the drive seizure 2484 grams of heroin, 1103 kg of ganja, 52.7 litres of cough Syrup, 1418.4 litres of duplicate foreign liquor, 905 litres of spirit and 147 vehicles were made, it said.
The seized items were valued at Rs 8.27 crore, while 99 persons were arrested under NDPS Act and 64 others under Excise Act for trading duplicate foreign liquor.
The department has directed the Superintendents of Excise to conduct massive raids on illegal alcohol manufacturing units ahead of Durga Puja and other festive occasions. The officials are also instructed to open a control room in their offices to receive information from the general public on illicit trafficking of intoxicants.
