Liquor smuggling sees surge in dist

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 19

After announcement of the 2019 General Election by the Election Commission of India (ECI), smuggling of country made liquor from Haryana has shot up in the Patiala district.

Over 85 per cent of the total liquor bottles seized in the last nine days bear a stamp of Haryana.

As per the data gathered from the FIRs, out of 1,946 bottles confiscated, 1,660 were smuggled from Haryana.

As soon as the model code of conduct came into force, demand for less expensive alcohol has increased manifold. Sources said owing to high stake elections, smuggling of illegal liquor has already increased. 

Apart from country-made liquor, the police have also recovered 809 liters of hooch during raids at various villages in the district. 

Sources added that major reason behind spike in illegal business of liquor smuggling from Haryana were low prices prevalent in the neighbouring state. 

Meanwhile, the police officials said they were on high alert to stop illegal liquor smuggling in the Patiala district.

Recovery of tablets and drugs in district

As many as 15,768 habit-forming tablets have been seized since the EC announced theLok Sabha poll dates. 

Apart from tablets, the police have also confiscated 25-gram heroin, 6-kg marijuana, 6-kg poppy husk and 1-kg opium in the last nine days. 

Bottles seized

• With Haryana stickers: 1,660
• With Punjab stickers: 202
• With Chandigarh stickers: 84
• Tablets: 15,768
• Heroin: 25 gm
• Poppy husk: 6 kg