Dawn broke with action in Dhanbad’s Palani village as excise sleuths, tipped off about a covert liquor hub, executed a high-stakes raid. Under Assistant Excise Commissioner’s orders and with police support, the team raided Shivcharan Mahto’s home in Baliapur area, uncovering a stockpile of spurious English alcohol despite frantic disposal efforts.
Approximately 20 liters of the hazardous brew, worth Rs 20,000-25,000, was recovered. One suspect was nabbed on the spot, and questioning is yielding leads on the broader network peddling this poison.
‘Illicit liquor trade is a double whammy—revenue loss and health hazard,’ declared Excise Officer Joy Hembram. The department’s sustained drives have already disrupted several rackets, and this latest haul reinforces their resolve.
In recent months, Dhanbad’s rural belts have become hotspots for counterfeit booze, often laced with toxic chemicals. This raid, part of a larger strategy, involved meticulous intelligence gathering and swift execution. Interrogation of the arrested man could expose suppliers and distributors, leading to a cascade of arrests.
Community leaders praised the proactive stance, urging continued patrols. As the Excise wing gears up for peak seasons, expect more such operations to dismantle the illegal ecosystem. The message is clear: law enforcers are closing in on every shadowy corner of the black market.