State excise department team on Friday seized huge quantity of illicit country-made liquor at Bhilai Pahari under MGM police station area early this morning.

The team also arrested three persons, including the trader involved in collecting illicit country-made liquor from various pockets from the rural pockets in the East Singhbhum district and selling them in the city. Those arrested have been identified as Nagendra Shao, the illicit liquor trader, Sahjada Ansari and Amar Kumar Mahto.

Revealing about the breakthrough, an official said that total quantity of illicit liquor was 750 litres. "Acting on a tip-off we acted against those involved. The country-made liquor was stuffed in truck tyres and was being carried in an auto-rickshaw from MGM police station area's Bhilai Pahari to Ulidih in Mango.  As we stopped the vehicle, the three accused tried to flee, but we nabbed them," said the official.

"In view of Holi we have started patrolling the area and are conducting such raids to nab those involved in the racket.  While patrolling, a villager in Bhilai Pahari locality tipped off that an auto-rickshaw carrying country-made liquor stuffed in tubes will pass through the place.  As we received the information, we were waiting for the vehicle, and as it appeared from a muddy road in Bhilai Pahari, we intercepted it.  The information was correct. We made the seizure and arrested the accused," said the official.

Notably, the steel city has a history of manufacturing of duplicate liquor as the district police had in the past busted several rackets of duplicate liquor manufacturing units, especially from the localities like Bagbera, Jugsalai and Kadma. Knowledgeable sources maintain that the racketeers of duplicate liquors use to do the rebottling of the brand which has the maximum demands, and when the liquor shop owners do a brisk business on such occasions, they tend to sell the duplicate stuff.

"Even during Holi sale of liquor from the retail shops goes up manifold. It has been seen from the records that just during 48 hours before the festival of colour, the liquor shop owners sell stuff worth over Rs 5 crores, which is during ordinary time hardly cross the Rs 1 crore within the same period of time.  Taking advantage of the craze for liqour among the people, some unscrupulous shop-owners tend to sell duplicate liquor," said the official.

He stated that the surprise inspection will continue even during the night and if any shop-owner is found selling the duplicate liquor, then he will stand to face the music.