More than 6,000 people were arrested for illegal brewing, storage, and transportation of alcohol during the nine-day crackdown. Special task forces targeted border districts and storage hubs to prevent liquor smuggling and maintain law and order.
BY PC Bureau
Patna, October 11: In one of the largest enforcement drives in recent months, Bihar police have seized over 2.9 lakh litres of illicit liquor and arrested more than 6,000 individuals across the state in the last nine days, as part of an intensified crackdown ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
According to official data released by the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department, the statewide operation was conducted between October 1 and October 9, during which over 33,000 raids were carried out to curb illegal liquor trade and consumption — a direct violation of Bihar’s prohibition law.
The seized liquor belonged to various brands. Even at the lowest estimated price of ₹500 per litre, the total value would amount to around ₹100 crore in the open market. On the black market, however, its worth could rise to approximately ₹300 crore.
Officials said that special task forces were mobilized across districts, focusing on border areas with Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, where liquor smuggling networks are most active. The drive also targeted storage hubs, illegal distilleries, and transportation channels that have flourished despite the state’s stringent ban on alcohol.
“The enforcement teams have worked round the clock to ensure that no illegal liquor reaches voters during the election season,” a senior Excise Department official told reporters. “The focus is to maintain law and order and prevent any attempt to influence the electorate through liquor distribution.”
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Apart from total 6,000 arrests, around 4,500 people were booked under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, while others were detained for aiding transportation and storage of alcohol. Several vehicles, including trucks, private cars, and motorbikes, were also impounded during the raids.
The crackdown comes as the Election Commission tightens surveillance across poll-bound districts. Officials have been directed to maintain heightened vigilance, particularly in border districts such as Siwan, Gopalganj, East Champaran, and Aurangabad, which are considered major transit points for illicit liquor.
Since the imposition of total prohibition in 2016, Bihar has repeatedly launched large-scale anti-liquor campaigns, but enforcement continues to face challenges due to widespread smuggling and illegal brewing in remote areas.
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Authorities have indicated that the ongoing drive will continue until polling is completed, with daily monitoring and coordination between police, excise, and intelligence units.
“This is not just about enforcing the prohibition law,” said an official from the Chief Minister’s Office. “It is about ensuring free and fair elections, without the influence of money or liquor.”
The operation has been hailed as one of the most extensive pre-election enforcement measures in Bihar’s recent history, underscoring the administration’s focus on curbing illegal trade and ensuring integrity in the electoral process.
