In a major haul, Fatehgarh Sahib Excise Department and Excise Police has seized 300 cartons of smuggled Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), with an estimated value of Rs seven lakh. The same was being smuggled from Chandigarh to Punjab.
The Excise Department spokesperson said that acting on a tip-off, the Excise Police was conducting vehicle checks near Madhopur in Fatehgarh Sahib district on late Monday evening when it intercepted a Canter. “300 carton boxes of IMFL, marked as ‘For Sale in Chandigarh Only’ were found concealed in the vehicle,” said the spokesperson.
Liquor of three different brands, '999' brand bottled in empire alcobrev, Plot no. 58 industrial area Chandigarh and 'Naina' brand bottled in Rock and storm bottling plant, plot no.214, Industrial area Chandigarh were recovered.
An FIR in this regard has been filed under the Excise Act and a person was arrested on the spot.
Spokesperson added that Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has directed the Department to thoroughly probe the case so that the strictest action could be taken against people involved in the liquor smuggling.
“The Minister has directed the Department to follow zero tolerance against illicit liquor trade”, said the spokesperson.