Punjab Government seized a substantial 2,240 litres of illegally pilfered Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), preventing what could have been a catastrophic hooch tragedy. The seizure of the ENA, enough to produce nearly 10,000 bottles of illicit liquor, comes as part of a larger crackdown on drug and alcohol-related crimes across the State.
The state’s Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, sharing the details during a press conference in Sangrur on Sunday, detailed the significant breakthrough in the state’s battle against drug abuse and illegal liquor manufacturing. The operation was conducted by a joint team of the Excise Department and Sangrur Police, following a tip-off from reliable intelligence sources.
“Acting on credible intelligence, our team intercepted a vehicle on the Sangrur-Dirba Highway, which was carrying approximately 200 litres of illicit ethanol. The driver, identified as Shaan Mohd, was apprehended on the spot,” said the Minister. The investigation soon expanded, leading authorities to a hidden storage facility, where a further 34 drums containing 60 litres each were discovered, bringing the total to 2,240 litres of ENA. Another individual, Armaan Mohd, was arrested during the raid.
The Minister emphasized the gravity of the operation, underscoring that the seizure had averted a potential tragedy. “This illicit ENA could have been used to produce nearly 10,000 bottles of harmful, unregulated liquor. It’s a major win in our ongoing fight against the illegal liquor trade,” he said.
Along with the ENA seizure, the campaign has been making remarkable strides across the state, with 4,745 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases registered. As part of the operation, authorities have arrested 7,536 individuals, dismantled 71 properties associated with smugglers, and seized significant quantities of drugs. These include 301 kg of heroin, nearly 10,000 kg of poppy husk, 154 kg of opium, 96 kg of ganja, and over 21 lakh banned tablets and capsules.
Further, Cheema revealed that the coordinated efforts between the Excise and Police departments have led to the registration of four FIRs against individuals smuggling alcohol into Punjab. “We are also monitoring and prosecuting smugglers relentlessly,” he added.
The Minister expressed his gratitude to the people of Punjab for their overwhelming support, crediting public cooperation as a key factor in the success of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign. He assured citizens that the Excise and Police departments would continue working tirelessly to create a safer environment and curb the illicit trade that threatens public health and safety.
