MOHALI: In a joint operation of Excise department Punjab and District police Mohali, an organized module involved in smuggling of E.N.A (Extra Neutral Alcohol) into Punjab state was busted in District Mohali.
Disclosing this in a press communique Mr.Naresh Dubey Joint Excise Commissioner, Punjab said that in wake of forthcoming vidhan sabha elections in state of Punjab, Excise department Punjab is taking all measures to curb smuggling of ENA and illegal liquor into the Punjab state. An input was received that few persons are involved in smuggling E.N.A. into the state of Punjab and Chandigarh evading the Excise duties and Levies, which caused huge loss to state exchequer . He said that acting on the information, joint teams of Special Operations Group of Excise Department including Mohali Excise and District Police Mohali were formed. He siid that these special teams were pressed on duty for round the clock nakabandi and patrolling in three districts of Punjab.
Dubey further said that on the intervening night of 28/29 December, 2021 the teams of Mohali Excise deputed at Lalru near Punjab Haryana interstate border intercepted a tanker No. KA02 AB 9232 carrying 25000 litres Extra Neutral Alcohol. The driver and his accomplice produced some documents in support of the consignment.
Immediately the authorities which issued the Permit and Pass of consignment were contacted for verification of documents. It was found that documents were fake and were fabricated to hoodwink the authorities. The illegal consignment was meant to be supplied to a known bottling plant of Chandigarh whose liquor brands have been confiscated in heavy quantities in Punjab state. As per the statement of the driver, the goods i.e. ENA has been loaded from the State of Chhatisgarh. Further investigation about the source is being carried out. Mr.Naresh Dubey, Joint Excise Commissioner, Punjab informed that with this consignment of 25000 litres of E.N.A., approximately 1, 10, 000 bottles of country liquor can be produced. F.I.R.No.253 dated 29-12-21 u/s 61-1-14, 78(2), 420, 120B P.S.Lalru Dist. S.A.S. Nagar is registered against the accused.
Rajat Agarwal, IAS, Excise Commissioner, Punjab reiterated that in the wake of forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in State, the Excise Department has stepped up the vigil in all the districts of State. Special patrolling and Nakabandis are being done on the Interstate borders and smuggling prone areas. He told that Government has zero tolerance policy for smuggling of liquor or any illegal activity relating to Excise is concerned and nobody would be spared and action would be taken as per law. Entire chain of forward and backward linkages leading to disclosure of the main suppliers and recipient of E.N.A. is being pursued expeditiously. He further reiterated that Excise Department and Punjab Police are working in close coordination and any attempt of smuggling or illegal selling and distribution of liquor will be dealt strictly. He further said that under Operation Red Rose, for the period from 17.5.2020 to 11.12.2021, 19784 FIRs have been registered in which 19689 persons have been arrested, 332693 lts illicit liquor, 868517 lts licit liquor, 2170883 kgs of lahan, 900 working stills have been detected. He said that the department of Excise & Taxation has already started toll free no. +91 98759 61126 for receiving complaints from aware citizens. The Department solicits willful co-operation of the citizens to nip the menace of illegal liquor from the state.