Chatra Police Uncover Illegal Liquor Manufacturing Racket in Forest Area
In a significant crackdown, authorities in Chatra district, Jharkhand, dismantled an illegal Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) production and bottling facility on Friday. The illicit operation was cleverly concealed within a poultry farm located in the Bihdiyataand forest area near Nawaan village.
Massive Seizure of Contraband and Equipment
Acting on a credible tip-off, a police team led by Itkhori Station House Officer Abhishek Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Videsh Pandey conducted a raid at the site. The operation resulted in the confiscation of 548 bottles of illegal liquor spanning various brands. Additionally, law enforcement officials seized approximately 25 litres of spirit stored in a jar, multiple empty drums fitted with taps, around 70 empty glass bottles, hundreds of caps from different brands, counterfeit stickers including MRP labels, a chemical-filled bottle, and a sealing machine used for packaging purposes.
Key Suspects and Modus Operandi
The illegal factory was allegedly operated by Vinod Dangi and his associates, including Munna Dangi, Bhuvneshwar Dangi alias Nagmani Dangi, and Abhay Singh. All accused individuals are residents of Madhopur village under the jurisdiction of the Itkhori police station. According to Superintendent of Police Sumit Kumar Agarwal, the suspects utilized the poultry farm as a safe hideout to manufacture and store spurious liquor, which was reportedly intended for smuggling into the neighboring state of Bihar.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Actions
SP Agarwal emphasized that the recovery points to an organised racket with potential links to a larger network. "We suspect the involvement of a more extensive syndicate, which is currently under investigation. Raids are ongoing to trace and apprehend the absconding accused and identify other members involved in this illicit operation," he stated. Authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Excise Act to pursue legal action against those responsible.
This bust highlights the persistent efforts by law enforcement to combat illegal alcohol production and distribution in the region, aiming to curb associated health risks and criminal activities.
