220 litres of illegal country liquor seized from car in West Medinipur

In a significant crackdown amid the enforcement of the election Model Code of Conduct, the excise department seized 220 litres of illegal country liquor from a private car in West Medinipur’s Belda area late Thursday night. The operation was conducted in the Jagatpur area of Bakhrabad under Belda police station limits, highlighting intensified surveillance ahead of the Assembly elections.

Acting on a specific tip-off, a team from the Narayangarh excise department launched a targeted operation and set up a trap along the route in Bakhrabad. During the operation, officials intercepted a four-wheeler that was travelling from Sankrail towards Khalina. Upon conducting a thorough search, a large quantity of country liquor was discovered concealed in the back seat and the trunk of the vehicle.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the liquor was being transported illegally from the Sankrail area in Jhargram district for distribution and sale. However, as the vehicle was stopped by officials, the driver along with others present in the car managed to flee the scene, evading immediate arrest.

The excise department has seized the vehicle and initiated further legal proceedings. A manhunt has been launched to trace and apprehend the absconding accused, while investigations are ongoing to uncover the broader network involved in the illegal liquor trade.