West Bengal Excise Department Seizes Illicit Liquor Worth Over ₹21 Lakh in Howrah and Darjeeling Operations
The West Bengal Excise Department has intensified its crackdown on the illegal liquor trade with a series of coordinated operations in Howrah and Darjeeling districts, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of illicit alcohol and fermented wash. Officials said the raids, carried out on the basis of specific intelligence inputs, underline growing concerns over unregulated liquor circulation and its associated public health and revenue risks.
The enforcement action comes amid renewed efforts by the state administration to curb illegal distillation networks that operate across district boundaries, often using unregistered vehicles and informal supply chains to evade detection.
Howrah Seizure: Intelligence-Led Operation
In Howrah district, the rural wing of the Excise Department launched a targeted surveillance operation after receiving inputs about the transportation of illicit distilled (ID) liquor from Hooghly towards Jagatballavpur. Acting on the information, excise personnel kept watch near Pantihal railway station, a location believed to be part of the transit route used by illegal operators.
A four-wheeler matching the description provided by intelligence sources and lacking a registration number was spotted in the area. Officials attempted to intercept the vehicle, which led to a brief chase before it was stopped. Upon inspection, around 400 litres of undiluted ID liquor were recovered from the vehicle. The driver and a helper, both residents of Dhulashimla in Howrah district, were arrested on the spot.
According to excise officials, preliminary questioning of the arrested individuals provided crucial leads that helped trace the larger network involved in the operation.
Follow-Up Action and Expanded Raids
Based on information gathered during interrogation, another excise team from the Shyampur circle intercepted a second vehicle later the same night. The vehicle, a Maruti Omni without a registration number, was found carrying approximately 450 litres of undiluted ID liquor. Two individuals who had reportedly arrived to receive the consignment were arrested, while the driver managed to flee under the cover of darkness.
The operation did not end there. Excise officials subsequently conducted raids at multiple locations believed to be linked to illegal liquor production and storage. In total, raids were carried out at 26 different sites, leading to the seizure of 984 litres of illicit liquor and an additional 5,600 litres of fermented wash—raw material commonly used in the production of illegal alcohol.
Officials estimated the combined market value of the seized liquor and wash at over ₹21.12 lakh, describing the operation as one of the more significant hauls in recent months in the Howrah region.
Darjeeling Operation Targets Cross-Border Supply
In a separate but related enforcement action, excise officials conducted a raid in Darjeeling district, where a vehicle allegedly transporting liquor from Sikkim for illegal sale in the Hills was intercepted. During the search, officers recovered multiple cartons of alcoholic beverages, including beer, rum, gin, and whisky.
The seized consignment consisted of 14 cartons of beer, 15 cartons of rum, three cartons of gin, and one carton of whisky. The vehicle used for transportation was seized, and one person was arrested in connection with the case.
Officials noted that Darjeeling’s proximity to interstate borders makes it vulnerable to the illegal inflow of liquor intended to bypass local excise regulations and taxes.
Public Health and Revenue Concerns
Illegal liquor poses serious risks beyond loss of government revenue. Experts have repeatedly warned that unregulated alcohol, especially undiluted or poorly processed ID liquor, can lead to severe health complications and, in extreme cases, fatalities. The seizure of large quantities of fermented wash also indicates the scale at which illegal brewing units operate, often in unhygienic conditions.
An excise department official said the latest operations were part of a sustained strategy to dismantle supply chains rather than merely intercepting individual consignments. “Our focus is on identifying the entire network—from production to transportation and distribution—so that repeat offences can be prevented,” the official said.
Enforcement Challenges and Next Steps
Despite regular raids, officials acknowledge that the illegal liquor trade adapts quickly, using unregistered vehicles, changing routes, and operating at night to avoid detection. The absence of vehicle registration numbers in both Howrah seizures highlights the methods used to evade enforcement.
The department has indicated that investigations are ongoing, particularly to trace the driver who escaped during the Shyampur operation and to identify the source units supplying the illicit liquor. Legal proceedings have been initiated against those arrested under relevant excise laws.
Conclusion
The twin seizures in Howrah and Darjeeling reflect the West Bengal Excise Department’s renewed push against illicit liquor operations across the state. While the recoveries mark a significant enforcement success, officials stress that sustained intelligence gathering, inter-district coordination, and community awareness are essential to curb the illegal trade in the long term. As investigations continue, authorities say further action is likely against those involved in the broader network behind the seized consignments.
