In a major crackdown on illegal liquor smuggling, police in Odisha’s Cuttack district seized around 700 litres of country liquor from a Bolero vehicle in Narasinghpur area on Thursday. The incident came to light after the suspected smuggling vehicle allegedly collided with a police vehicle during an attempted escape.

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According to police sources, the SUV was allegedly being used to transport illegal country liquor while displaying a motorcycle (two-wheeler) registration number to avoid suspicion during movement. The incident occurred near Panchamukhi Square under Narasinghpur police limits.

Sources suggest that the liquor-laden Bolero rammed into a police Scorpio vehicle belonging to the Narasinghpur police during checking and pursuit operations. Following the collision, the Bolero lost control and plunged into a nearby agricultural field. Taking advantage of the situation, the driver fled from the spot before police could apprehend him.

After inspecting the abandoned vehicle, local police recovered around 20 large containers filled with country liquor. Each container allegedly had a capacity of 35 litres, taking the total seizure to nearly 700 litres of illicit liquor.

Police officials suspect that the liquor was being transported illegally to another destination through a smuggling network operating in the region. The use of a fake or mismatched registration number has also raised suspicion about the organised illegal transportation activities.

Inspector-in-Charge of Narasinghpur Police Station, Tapan Kumar Pati, confirmed the seizure and stated that an investigation has been launched to identify the absconding driver and trace others involved in the smuggling racket.

The damaged vehicles have been taken into custody, and police are examining documents and other evidence recovered from the spot. Authorities said strict action would be taken against all those linked to the illegal liquor trade.

The seizure is being viewed as a significant success for local police in their ongoing efforts to curb illegal liquor transportation and organised smuggling activities in the district.

“We have seized around 20 large plastic containers filled with country liquor. Each jerkin was believed to hold 35 litres, bringing the total haul of illicit liquor to nearly 700 litres. A detailed probe into the illegal activity is underway,” the IIC said.