Multiple illegal distilleries destroyed in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur, Aug 17: In a concerted effort to curb the illicit liquor trade, a collaborative operation between the police and the Jharkhand Excise Department resulted in the destruction of over a dozen distilleries. The operation took place in the suburban Birsanagar police station area on Thursday, leaving a significant blow to the unscrupulous liquor manufacturing network.

The crackdown yielded remarkable results, with law enforcement officials seizing approximately 1,500 units of illicit country-made liquor and a substantial quantity of raw materials used in the production process. The authorities also confiscated equipment employed in the manufacturing of the prohibited spirits from the dismantled distillery sites.

The joint initiative, led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhat Kumar, is part of a broader strategy to transform the steel city into an illicit liquor-free zone. The SSP highlighted that the unregulated trade often operated on the fringes of the city, distributing the harmful liquor within slum areas. The consumption of sub-standard alcohol not only poses grave health risks but also fuels anti-social behavior among consumers.

“We are committed to eradicating the supply and sale of country-made liquor from the city. The joint operation’s destruction of these distilleries is the inaugural step in our campaign against this menace,” emphasized Kumar during a press interaction.

Due to the substantial police and Excise Department presence during the operation, some individuals involved in illicit liquor production managed to evade capture. However, the SSP assured that these individuals have been identified, and efforts are underway to bring them to justice swiftly.

“As we intensify our efforts, those engaged in unauthorized liquor manufacturing activities will soon find themselves within the grasp of the law,” asserted the senior police official.

The operation stands as a significant milestone in the ongoing endeavor to eliminate the scourge of illegal liquor trade in the region. As law enforcement agencies continue their vigilance, the operation underscores their commitment to safeguarding public health and maintaining social order.

Notably, the steel city has a history of manufacturing duplicate liquor as the district police had in the past busted several rackets of duplicate liquor manufacturing units, especially from the localities like Bagbera, Jugsalai and Kadma. Knowledgeable sources maintain that the racketeers of duplicate liquors use to do the rebottling of the brand which has the maximum demands, and when the liquor shop owners do a brisk business on such occasions, they tend to sell the duplicate stuff.