PATNA: State excise commissioner B Kartikey Dhanji on Monday said intensive raids were being conducted against illegal liquor smugglers in riverine areas of Bihar and vulnerable places were being mapped by helicopter from Buxar to Bhagalpur.
Addressing mediapersons here, the commissioner said hand-held device and vehicle-mounted scanner will be hired for each district to find liquor from vehicles in order to stop illegal supply.
“The bidding process has been initiated to procure the equipment to curb illegal trade of liquor. We have also initiated the process to procure speed boats to catch peddlers brewing liquor in diara areas. Two high-speed boats will be available soon. Besides, sniffer dogs will be hired to find liquor at every district and check posts,” he said.
Dhanji said seven satellite phones will be made available in remote areas of Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, West Champaran during the patrol. “If necessary, its number will be increased after review,” he said.
The commissioner said in view of Holi, a special campaign has been launched under which raids are being conducted through drones across the state even at night.
“Altogether 19,122 raids have been conducted against illegal liquor trade, including 6,084 by excise department and 13,039 by home department between March 6 and March 12. At least 2,800 cases have been registered during the same period. Similarly, 3,357 accused have been arrested under the Prohibition Act,” Dhanji said.
He added, “At least 48,944 liters of country-made liquor and 54,146 liters of IMFL have been recovered and destroyed in the last week. A total of 313 people have been arrested for home delivery of liquor and 547 vehicles seized during the period.”
Addressing mediapersons here, the commissioner said hand-held device and vehicle-mounted scanner will be hired for each district to find liquor from vehicles in order to stop illegal supply.
“The bidding process has been initiated to procure the equipment to curb illegal trade of liquor. We have also initiated the process to procure speed boats to catch peddlers brewing liquor in diara areas. Two high-speed boats will be available soon. Besides, sniffer dogs will be hired to find liquor at every district and check posts,” he said.
Dhanji said seven satellite phones will be made available in remote areas of Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, West Champaran during the patrol. “If necessary, its number will be increased after review,” he said.
The commissioner said in view of Holi, a special campaign has been launched under which raids are being conducted through drones across the state even at night.
“Altogether 19,122 raids have been conducted against illegal liquor trade, including 6,084 by excise department and 13,039 by home department between March 6 and March 12. At least 2,800 cases have been registered during the same period. Similarly, 3,357 accused have been arrested under the Prohibition Act,” Dhanji said.
He added, “At least 48,944 liters of country-made liquor and 54,146 liters of IMFL have been recovered and destroyed in the last week. A total of 313 people have been arrested for home delivery of liquor and 547 vehicles seized during the period.”