Odisha excise raids target illegal liquor trade and smuggling

Excise authorities in Odisha have conducted separate operations targeting illegal liquor activities, resulting in both significant seizures and procedural controversy.

In Balipatna, the Bhubaneswar Excise Department raided a location late Wednesday night, seizing 5,000 litres of country liquor, guns, three bikes, and four high-end cars equipped with fake number plates. Seven individuals were arrested during the operation, which officials believe was part of a smuggling ring involving liquor brought from Athagarh to be bottled in Balipatna. The primary suspect remains at large.

In a separate incident in Sundaragad, the Sundaragad Sadar Excise Department faced criticism after detaining a woman and her two-year-old son during a raid at her home. The raid was intended to apprehend her husband, who is accused of illegal liquor sales, but no liquor was recovered from the premises. The Child Welfare Committee has characterized the detention of the mother and toddler as illegal.