Silchar (Assam), 31 October (HS): Assam Police have seized more than 5,495 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer from an oil tanker allegedly transporting the consignment illegally to Manipur through Cachar district. The tanker driver has been arrested in connection with the incident.

According to an official statement issued by the Cachar Police Headquarters on Saturday, acting on specific intelligence inputs, police intercepted an oil tanker bearing registration number NL-01G-6208 at the Jirighat check post while it was heading towards Manipur.

The vehicle was searched in the presence of independent witnesses and under videography. During the search, a huge quantity of liquor was recovered concealed inside the oil storage compartment of the tanker. The bottles and cans carried labels stating For Sale in Arunachal Pradesh Only.

Police said the seized consignment included 205 cartons of Kingfisher beer containing 4,920 cans of 500 ml each, amounting to 2,460 litres. Another 45 cartons of Budweiser beer containing 1,080 cans of 500 ml each, totalling 540 litres, were also recovered.

The seizure further included 15 cartons of Royal Stag whisky containing 135 bottles of 750 ml each (101.25 litres), and 32 cartons of Sterling Reserve B7 containing 1,212 bottles of different sizes, amounting to 279.72 litres.

In addition, police recovered 60 cartons of Old Monk rum containing 2,880 bottles of 180 ml each (518.40 litres), and 31 cartons of Magic Moments vodka comprising 744 bottles of different sizes, totalling 276.48 litres.

The consignment also included 80 cartons of Tuborg beer containing 1,920 cans of 500 ml each (960 litres) and 40 cartons of Royal Stag whisky containing 960 bottles of 375 ml each (360 litres).

Altogether, police seized 508 cartons containing 13,851 bottles and cans, with a total volume of 5,495.85 litres of liquor and beer.

The arrested driver has been identified as Roshan Kumar Rai, a resident of House No. 102, Ward No. 13, Katabari Shantipath, under the Gorchuk Police Station area of Guwahati.

Police also seized the tanker, the entire liquor consignment, the driver's driving licence and a Vivo mobile phone.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the liquor, labelled exclusively for sale in Arunachal Pradesh, was being transported to Manipur for illegal trade.

Police said further legal action would be initiated under the relevant provisions of law.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash