Guwahati (Assam) [India], March 4 (HBTV): In a joint operation, teams from the Assam Excise Department and Meghalaya Excise Department busted an illegal liquor manufacturing unit and seized a large quantity of liquor and related equipment, officials said.

Sailendra Pandey, an official of the Assam Excise Department, told ANI that on March 2, authorities received information from a secret source about a truck bearing an Assam registration number departing from an illegal liquor manufacturing unit in Barapani, Meghalaya, and heading towards Assam via GS Road.

Pandey said, 'Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Kamrup Metro Excise Department intercepted the truck at Khanapara, conducted a search operation, and recovered about 10,000 labels of McDowell’s No. 1 Luxury Whiskey, which were subsequently seized. The truck driver was apprehended.'

'Upon interrogation, the driver admitted that an illegal liquor manufacturing unit was operating in Barapani, Meghalaya. Following this revelation, a joint search operation was conducted by Assam and Meghalaya Excise teams at the site, leading to the seizure of various materials,' he added.

The team seized over 3,000 cases of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), blending vats, ENA vats, a rotary capping machine, a production line, labels of different IMFL brands, flavoring agents, coloring agents, empty bottles of various brands, and holograms of Assam and Meghalaya.

'The case has been handed over to the Meghalaya Excise team,' said Pandey.

The Assam Excise team was led by Debajit Nath, Superintendent of Excise, Kamrup Metro, along with Inspectors of Excise Arif Ahmed and Moloy Sameer Dutta.

Jitu Doley, Commissioner of Excise, Assam, praised the efforts of the Kamrup Metro excise team, stating, 'Excellent job, team Kamrup Metro. The efforts of Debajit Nath, Superintendent of Excise, Kamrup Metro, have been appreciated, and this should serve as motivation for others. We must continue our fight against those harming the state and the nation. This action not only blocks revenue leakage but also prevents the consumption of spurious liquor. We have initiated strong operations against all forms of illegal liquor trade.'

(ANI)