RPF seizes 14 kg cannabis, 18.75 L liquor from trains at Saharsa
Synopsis
Hidden in an unclaimed bag and an overhead electric box on two separate trains, over 14 kg of cannabis and nearly 19 litres of Royal Stag liquor were recovered by the RPF at Saharsa — a reminder that Bihar's prohibition enforcement battle is increasingly being fought on railway platforms, not just state borders.
Key Takeaways
RPF Saharsa seized 14.02 kg of cannabis from coach D-04 of the Rajya Rani Express (train no.
15509) on 30 August .
18.75 litres of Royal Stag foreign liquor (25 bottles) were recovered from a concealed electric box in the general coach of the Vaishali Express (train no.
15566) at 11:14 pm .
Total estimated value of seized contraband: ₹7.25 lakh (cannabis: ₹7 lakh ; liquor: ₹25,000 ).
Operations were led by Saharsa RPF Post Commander Dhananjay Kumar ; the cannabis tip-off came via the Rail Madad helpline.
Both seizures handed to the Saharsa Excise Department ; legal proceedings are underway.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) seized 14.02 kg of cannabis and 18.75 litres of foreign liquor during two separate operations at Saharsa Railway Station in Bihar on 30–31 August, officials confirmed on Monday. The total estimated value of the recovered contraband stands at approximately ₹7.25 lakh.
Cannabis Haul from Rajya Rani Express
The first operation was triggered by a tip-off through the Rail Madad passenger grievance service on 30 August, reporting an unclaimed bag lying suspiciously aboard train number 15509, the Rajya Rani Express. Saharsa RPF Post Commander Dhananjay Kumar promptly directed Assistant Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar Pandey, Sub-Inspector Sujit Kumar Mishra, and Constable Sanjay Kumar to board and inspect the train.
When the express pulled into Platform No. 1 at Saharsa, RPF personnel searched coach D-04 and recovered 14.02 kg of cannabis from the unclaimed bag. The Excise Department was alerted after the team suspected narcotics, and subsequently took formal possession of the seized cannabis after completing the required legal formalities. The estimated value of this haul alone is around ₹7 lakh.
Liquor Smuggling Foiled on Vaishali Express
The second seizure followed intelligence shared by the Crime Intelligence Branch, Samastipur, about suspected liquor smuggling aboard train number 15566, the Vaishali Express. Post Commander Dhananjay Kumar alerted the RPF escort team deployed between Mansi and Lalitgram, directing them to maintain close surveillance on the general coach.
The Vaishali Express arrived at Platform No. 1 at Saharsa at around 11:14 pm. Acting on real-time inputs from the escort team, RPF personnel searched the electric box installed on the roof of general coach number 255975/C. Concealed inside were 25 bottles of Royal Stag foreign liquor, amounting to 18.75 litres and estimated at ₹25,000. The recovered liquor was handed over to the Saharsa Excise Department for further action.
Broader Crackdown Context
Bihar enforces a total prohibition on alcohol under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, making liquor smuggling through railway networks a persistent challenge for enforcement agencies. Smugglers have increasingly exploited train compartments — including concealed spaces such as overhead electric boxes — to bypass state border checks.
Notably, the Rail Madad service, originally designed as a passenger assistance helpline, has emerged as an effective intelligence channel for the RPF in Bihar, with this operation being a recent example of citizen-led tip-offs leading to successful seizures.
What Happens Next
Both seizures have been handed over to the Saharsa Excise Department, and legal proceedings are underway. The RPF stated that surveillance on trains passing through Bihar will continue to be intensified, particularly on routes known for contraband movement.
Point of View
Now nearly a decade old, has pushed smuggling underground and onto rail networks, where concealment options range from unclaimed baggage to rooftop electrical boxes. The Rail Madad tip-off model is worth watching: it converts passengers into an informal surveillance network, which is arguably more scalable than increasing patrol headcount. The real question is whether the Excise Department's downstream prosecution rate matches the RPF's seizure rate — without convictions, interdictions alone are a revolving door.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the RPF seize at Saharsa Railway Station?
The RPF seized 14.02 kg of cannabis and 18.75 litres of foreign liquor (Royal Stag) during two separate operations at Saharsa Railway Station in Bihar. The total estimated value of the contraband is approximately ₹7.25 lakh.
Which trains were involved in the RPF seizures?
The cannabis was recovered from coach D-04 of the Rajya Rani Express (train no. 15509), while the liquor was found concealed in an electric box in the general coach of the Vaishali Express (train no. 15566).
How did the RPF get the tip-off for these operations?
The cannabis seizure was triggered by a passenger tip-off through the Rail Madad helpline on 30 August, reporting a suspicious unclaimed bag. The liquor smuggling intelligence came from the Crime Intelligence Branch, Samastipur.
Why is liquor smuggling a major issue in Bihar?
Bihar has enforced a total prohibition on alcohol under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, making it illegal to possess or transport liquor in the state. This has driven smugglers to use train routes to circumvent border checks.
What happens to the seized contraband?
Both the cannabis and the liquor have been handed over to the Saharsa Excise Department for further legal action. The RPF confirmed that formal proceedings are underway against those found responsible.
