4,030 lt of chemical-based liquor seized in Mehatpur

The Jalandhar Rural Police under the jurisdiction of Mehatpur police station seized 4,030 litres of toxic chemical-based liquor from a makeshift illegal production unit in Haveli Tower Colony, Mehatpur on the night of January 18. The operation was carried out under the ongoing campaign against anti-social elements and drug peddling, initiated on the directions of SP, Investigation, Jasroop Kaur Bath. The operation was led by Shahkot DSP Onkar Singh Brar, along with Sukhdev Singh, Mehatpur SHO, and his team.

Speaking to the media, the SSP, Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh, said that during a week-long operation in Mehatpur, the police had been monitoring the activities of notorious smugglers Jhilman Singh, Jaspal Singh and Jaswinder Kaur. In a prior raid, 68 kg of crushed poppy husk and 150 litres of chemical-laced liquor were seized from their possession.

Based on intelligence inputs, a raid was conducted on the premises of Jhilman Singh at Haveli Tower Colony. The police uncovered a large-scale operation involving concealed storage of toxic chemicals used for liquor production. Two 1,000-litre plastic tanks were found hidden beneath the floor, connected to an underground pump system through electrical wiring.

Additional recoveries included 30 chemical-filled plastic bags, two 200-litre plastic drums, one 500-litre plastic tank, buckets, plastic envelopes and other packaging materials. The total seizure amounted to 4,030 litres of toxic liquor and chemicals, marking a major blow to the illegal liquor trade in the area.

Investigations have revealed that the smuggler network led by Jhilman actively produced and distributed chemical-laced liquor with the help of his accomplices Jaspal and Gurdeep Singh. The chemicals were sourced through a supply chain and retailed to other smugglers in the region.

A case under has been registered against the accused in this regard. Raids are being conducted to apprehend the suspects, who fled the area with their families. Special teams have been deployed to arrest them.

The chemical suppliers and factory operators linked to this operation will be targeted, the SSP said.