Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 27 Jun: Continuing its intensified drive against the illegal trade in liquor and narcotic substances, the Dehradun police have intercepted a major consignment of illicit liquor being smuggled into Uttarakhand from Haryana. Acting during a routine checking operation at the Paonta border under the Vikasnagar Kotwali area, the police seized 120 cartons of illegally transported Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), impounded the vehicle used for smuggling and arrested three alleged liquor smugglers on the spot.
The operation was carried out as part of the district-wide campaign launched under the directions of the SSP Dehradun Pramendra Dobal to make the district drug-free and curb the illegal trafficking of liquor, charas, smack, ganja and other narcotic substances. Police teams have been instructed to conduct intensive checking in their respective jurisdictions, identify persons involved in such illegal activities and initiate stringent legal action against them. Special teams constituted at police station level have been carrying out continuous enforcement drives across the district.
During an intensive checking operation in the Vikasnagar Kotwali area, police personnel intercepted a suspicious goods carrier bearing registration number HR-47-H-9508, which was approaching from the Paonta Sahib side. The vehicle was stopped for inspection and the three occupants identified themselves as Jai Singh, son of Jagat Singh, the driver of the vehicle, Amit Kumar, son of Ranvir Singh, and Manjeet, son of Jaivir Singh.
When questioned about the consignment being transported, the three occupants allegedly failed to provide any satisfactory explanation and appeared visibly nervous, prompting the police to conduct a thorough search of the vehicle. During the search, police recovered 120 cartons of ‘9 One’ brand whisky bearing Chandigarh excise markings, which was allegedly being transported illegally into Uttarakhand.
The police immediately arrested all three accused and seized the vehicle used in the transportation of the illicit liquor. A case has been registered against the accused at Kotwali Vikasnagar under Case Crime No. 188/26 under Sections 63 and 72 of the Uttarakhand Excise Act. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the intended destination of the consignment, identify the individuals or network behind the smuggling operation and determine whether the seized liquor was meant for distribution within Dehradun or other parts of the State.
The arrested accused have been identified as Jai Singh, son of Jagat Singh, a resident of Kudal village under Jui police station in Bhiwani district of Haryana; Amit Kumar, son of Ranvir Singh, also a resident of the same locality; and Manjeet, son of Jaivir Singh, a resident of Sauwas village under Charkhi Dadri in Haryana.
Police recovered 120 cartons of illegal English liquor comprising ‘9 One’ brand Chandigarh-marked whisky along with the goods carrier bearing registration number HR-47-H-9508 used in the commission of the offence.
Officials said that the criminal antecedents of the arrested accused are being verified and information is being collected from the concerned police authorities in Haryana to ascertain whether they have been involved in similar offences in the past.
The operation was led by Sub-Inspector Vaibhav Gupta, In-charge of Kulhal police outpost under Kotwali Vikasnagar, along with Constable Raj Kumar and Head Constable Manoj Kumar. Police officials stated that the anti-smuggling drive would continue across the district with intensified surveillance at interstate borders and strategic checkpoints to prevent the illegal inflow of liquor and narcotic substances into Uttarakhand.
