In a significant crackdown during the Durga Puja festival, authorities have exposed a major operation involving the illegal distribution of foreign liquor across state borders. The illegal activity was uncovered today when the Lanka Udali police successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle foreign liquor from Guwahati, Assam, to the neighboring state of Manipur. This discovery highlights the persistent issue of unlawful liquor trade during festive occasions, raising concerns about regulatory enforcement and public safety.
Acting on a vital tip-off, the police executed a strategic operation along the Lanka-Lumding four-lane national highway, seizing a substantial quantity of contraband liquor. The smugglers, operating with a Bolero pickup van, were found transporting 52 cartons of foreign liquor, cleverly concealed under layers of potatoes and onions. To further disguise the illicit cargo, the liquor bottles were packed in cartons typically used for cooking oil, demonstrating the smugglers’ calculated attempts to evade detection.
The interception led to the arrest of two individuals, identified as Hibjur Rahman and Sultan Ahmed, both drivers of the implicated Bolero pickup van. The vehicle, bearing the registration number AS 33C-0755, has been impounded as part of the ongoing investigation. This operation underscores the vigilance of the local police force in combating illegal activities, especially during a period when festivities often provide a cover for such unlawful enterprises.
