Lucknow STF Operation Seizes 13,000+ Liquor Bottles
On Wednesday night, Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) seized 13812 bottles of illegal English liquor from the back of a truck at the Sitapur Road toll plaza in Lucknow. It was after breaking up an interstate liquor smuggling operation. The shipment had been cleverly concealed within the shipment of potatoes.
This event has received a lot of media attention because law enforcement is becoming more vigilant in their crackdown on illegal business and trade activities. Also, because it coincides with several latest news on business regulations and economic compliance in Uttar Pradesh.
Alcohol Disguised Under Potato Bags
According to a press release issued by the STF on Thursday, many different types of alcohol were inside the shipment. They were shipped from a truck that was registered in Punjab. The total value of the truck and contents was approximately ₹5,700. Also recovered were a cellphone, a driver’s license, and the actual truck used in this smuggling operation.
The smuggling operation was designed to look like normal agricultural shipments. It was with the liquor boxes placed within layers of potato bags to avoid detection at roadblocks.
Following a coordinated effort between the STF (Special Task Force) Lucknow Unit and the local police (Itaunja Police), one suspect is now in custody for the supply of illegally smuggled liquor.
The suspect has been identified as Sushil Kumar. He is a resident of Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, and was arrested at approximately 10:35pm on December 3rd, 2021.
During interrogation, Sushil Kumar stated that he was part of a larger organized interstate smuggling operation. They were using illegally sourced liquor from Punjab-Chandigarh. Distributing it in various districts of the state of Bihar, which imposes strict liquor prohibition laws.
Additionally, Sushil Kumar identified Kapil Verma, a resident of Chandigarh, as the person responsible for preparing this particular shipment. Also, for managing the delivery of this shipment to Bihar by truck.
Legal Action Under BNS Act and Excise Act
Once the seized liquor was taken into custody. The police filed a report with Itaunja Police Station subsequently, for violations of the BNS (Bihar Narcotic Substance) Act (specifically section 61(2) and 318(4)). Violations of the Excise Act (sections 60, 63, and 72) for possession, transportation and distribution of liquor illegally and violations of Excise laws.
Authorities are continuing their investigations in order to locate the remaining members of the organized smuggling ring. Also, determine their distribution routes, storage facilities and distribution networks.
Further Development of Continuing Enforcement
With the STF’s ongoing success, there is a growing awareness in Uttar Pradesh of the expanding use of cross-border smuggling routes by liquor traffickers. To continue to dismantle these types of smuggling networks, further joint operations and intelligence-based tracking initiatives will continue to be utilised by law enforcement agencies.
These law enforcement efforts will also continue to represent a key step toward improving crime management. It is by linking regulatory enforcement within the logistics, transportation, and compliance sectors operate.
