Odisha Excise Dept seizes contraband worth rs45.57 crore in month-long enforcement drive

Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: The Odisha Excise Department has seized contraband worth Rs45.57 crore during a month-long special enforcement drive conducted across the State between October 10 and November 10, 2026, officials said on Thursday.

 The campaign, launched ahead of and during the festive season, targeted the illegal manufacture, sale and transportation of liquor and narcotic substances.

According to official figures, the intensive enforcement operation resulted in the registration of 7,826 cases and the arrest of 3,764 persons. All those arrested were subsequently forwarded to the courts for further legal proceedings.

Major seizures

The drive led to significant recoveries of narcotic substances and illicit liquor from different parts of Odisha. Enforcement teams seized 3,201 kg of ganja, 6,366 grams of heroin and 150.5 litres of cough syrup allegedly being transported or stored illegally.

The Department also confiscated 14,193 kg of mahua flowers, commonly used in the manufacture of country liquor, and 1,045 litres of duplicate foreign liquor during the operation.

A substantial quantity of illicitly distilled (ID) liquor was also seized. Officials reported the recovery of 4,28,585 bulk litres of ID liquor during the month-long campaign, reflecting the scale of illegal liquor operations targeted by the enforcement teams.

Crackdown intensified

As part of the crackdown, the Excise Department destroyed 40,60,410 bulk litres of wash, the fermented liquid used in the production of illicit liquor. The destruction of wash is aimed at preventing illegal brewing activities and dismantling unauthorised liquor production networks operating across the State.

In addition, 442 vehicles allegedly used in the transportation and commission of excise-related offences were seized during the operation.

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Sustained vigilance

Officials said the successful completion of the drive reflects coordinated action by enforcement agencies and district-level excise teams to curb the circulation of illicit liquor and narcotic substances.

The Excise Department stated that it would continue to strengthen surveillance and enforcement activities across Odisha to prevent the spread of contraband and combat substance abuse. The Department emphasised that such operations would remain a key component of its ongoing efforts to ensure public safety and uphold excise laws throughout the State.