Crackdown on liquor smugglers in Ludhiana

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 14

Cracking the whip on illicit liquor trade and smuggling, the Ludhiana police have seized and destroyed more than 2 lakh litre of lahan (illicit liquor before distillation) on the banks of the Sutlej on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar border in the past 20 days. Some wine contractors who are indulging in liquor smuggling are also on the police radar.

The police launched a special drive about 20 days ago to take strict action against all kinds of liquor smuggling, bootlegging and illicit distillation of liquor in Ludhiana as part of a statewide directive from the DGP. A anti-smuggling cell has been constituted with dedicated manpower of 30 personnel. A close co-ordination is also being made with the Excise Department to stop bootlegging and smuggling of liquor.

The Ludhiana Police Commissionerate has effectively cracked down on liquor smugglers. In the past 20 days, 150 FIRs have been registered under the Excise Act and 171 smugglers sent behind the bars. The police have recovered 3,266 litre of illicit liquor and 650 litre of English wine. Besides, two illegal distilleries have been seized. Most of the known liquor smugglers have either been caught or have shifted from Ludhiana to other districts.

The police have also made a list of repeat offenders and keeping a strict watch on their activities, said a press release issue by the police.

The activities of these smugglers are also being monitored through the Safe City cameras installed in the district.

Rakesh Agrawal, Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, has told his officers that strict action would be taken if any policeman is found wanting in duty or supporting any illegal activities in any manner relating to smuggling of liquor.