What Measures are Being Taken to Combat Illegal Liquor Trade in Bihar?

Patna, July 29 (NationPress) In a remarkable announcement on Tuesday, the Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Prohibition Division, Amit Kumar Jain, revealed that from January to June 2025, the Bihar Police has confiscated over 16 lakh litres of illegal liquor, reflecting a significant 12 percent increase compared to the same timeframe last year.

Out of this total seizure, more than 8 lakh litres were categorized as Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), valued at over Rs 74 crore.

ADG Jain highlighted that the surge in foreign liquor seizures can be attributed to enhanced surveillance, stricter enforcement, and a revamped strategy by the Prohibition Department.

“The illegal liquor network has particularly concentrated on smuggling imported and premium brands, but our intensified operations have successfully mitigated these efforts,” stated Jain.

The crackdown on illegal liquor trafficking has expanded beyond Bihar's borders, with 17 major operations executed in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and other neighboring states.

These initiatives have resulted in the identification of 305 suspects, who were actively involved in supplying liquor into Bihar from outside. Raids are ongoing, and more arrests are anticipated.

To curb the activities of habitual offenders, 1,344 repeat offenders have been expelled from their districts, and property seizure proceedings have commenced against 240 criminals.

“Since the Bihar government instituted total prohibition in 2016, 6,40,379 individuals have been convicted under the Prohibition Act. Among them, over 6.38 lakh cases involved alcohol consumption. Nine individuals have received death sentences, and 18 have been sentenced to life imprisonment,” ADG Jain emphasized.

Numerous others have faced sentences of 10 years or more in prison. Over 75,000 vehicles utilized in smuggling activities have been auctioned, generating Rs 4,285 crore in revenue.

Of the confiscated vehicles, 57 percent were directly apprehended by the Prohibition Department.

“With the Bihar Assembly Elections approaching, enforcement of prohibition has been heightened across the state. Check posts are being fortified in all 23 border districts. Coordination has been established with authorities in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Arunachal Pradesh—regions from where most smuggled foreign liquor originates,” the ADG stated.

“Offenders are being tracked using QR codes, with retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers being identified and investigated. Nodal officers have been appointed in all these states for direct inter-state cooperation,” he added.

“The Central Prohibition Unit, in collaboration with the Excise Department, SSB, Railway Police, and others, is holding regular joint meetings. These cooperative efforts are ensuring the strict enforcement of prohibition laws,” ADG Jain stated.

“The crackdown on illegal liquor trade has intensified and will persist with enhanced coordination and vigilance. Our strategy is to disrupt the supply chain at the source and ensure that no illegal liquor enters Bihar,” he concluded.