Varanasi: In a major crackdown on interstate liquor smuggling, Bhadohi Police seized over 1,000 litres of illegal Indian-made foreign liquor worth around Rs 11 lakh that had been ingeniously concealed inside a water tanker to evade detection. The consignment, allegedly being transported from Panipat in Haryana to Bihar, was intercepted during a pre-dawn vehicle checking drive on Monday. One suspected member of the smuggling gang was arrested.The accused, identified as Manoj alias Rahul Saini, a resident of Abadgarh in Shamli district, was arrested near the Girai Power House.ASP Shubham Agarwal said police had received a tip-off about a large consignment of illegal liquor passing through the district. Acting on the information, a police team launched a vehicle checking drive on the highway at around 3.30 am.During the operation, police signalled a tractor-trolley carrying a water tanker to stop. However, the driver allegedly attempted to flee and was intercepted near the Girai substation. On searching the tanker, police recovered 114 cartons of illegal liquor of different brands hidden inside. The total seizure amounted to 1,005 litres, with an estimated market value of Rs 11 lakh.During interrogation, the accused told police that he had taken possession of the tractor and tanker near the Indian Petrol Pump at Kurthal in Panipat, Haryana. He was allegedly promised Rs 25,000 to deliver the consignment to Bihar and return the vehicle.Police said the smugglers had adopted an innovative method to avoid suspicion by filling the tanker with water and concealing the liquor inside. When questioned, the accused claimed the tanker contained only water. Police first opened the outlet valve, from which water flowed out. After the tanker was completely drained, officers discovered the hidden liquor stash.Investigators are now trying to ascertain whether the tanker was a government vehicle or had been specially modified for smuggling. A case has been registered against the accused under the Excise Act, and he has been sent to judicial custody. Police are also working to identify and arrest other members of the interstate liquor smuggling network.
