Author: adminficci

Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu: Adjacent to the court premises, stands a derelict concrete structure in Kallakurichi, a backward district, in northern Tamil Nadu. This building is 49-year-old Kannukuty’s domain. It is where he peddled illicit liquor that claimed 66 lives recently.
“My 61-year-old husband, Subramani, was addicted to illicit liquor because it is cheaper and stronger than what is sold in liquor shops. On the morning of June 19, I saw him with three packets of illicit liquor, gulping them one by one. Within an hour, he complained of loss of eyesight and died later in the evening,” says 55-year-old Ayyamma, a resident of Kallakurichi.

Sold between June 18 and 19, the methanol-laced brew also left many blind, battling for survival. This tragedy, a grim reminder of past horrors, underscores the dangers of a thriving illegal alcohol market, enabled by rampant corruption and negligence in liquor regulation.

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/tales-of-tragedy-resound-as-illicit-liquor-thrives-3104902

The Perak branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost Living Ministry (KPDN) seized 164 kilogrammes of subsidised cooking oil in packets from a sundry shop in Alor Pongsu town, Parit Buntar yesterday.

Perak KPDN director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said an operation dubbed Ops Samar was launched following public complaints about a shop imposing conditions on the purchase of subsidised 1kg packets of cooking oil.

He said that checks revealed the trader had set conditions requiring customers to purchase other items before being allowed to buy 1kg packets of cooking oil.“An inspection of both the storage area and shelves at the premises uncovered 164 kg of packet cooking oil, estimated to be worth RM410.

“Following the discovery, a stock declaration order was then issued to the premises supervisor under Section 8 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961,” he said.Kamalludin said the case was being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

If an individual is found guilty, they may be fined up to RM1 million or imprisoned for no more than three years, or both, while Any corporate body convicted of an offence against this act could face a fine not exceeding RM2 million.He said that KPDN will not compromise with any individuals or groups involved in the misuse of controlled goods, and will take stricter action, including prosecution in court.

https://thesun.my/local-news/conditional-sales-of-controlled-goods-164kg-of-cooking-oil-seized-from-perak-shop-HF12717264

The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) arrested two men near the China border in Eastern Ladakh on July 9 for allegedly smuggling 108 kg of gold biscuits from China. While smuggling of smaller items was common, it was the first time ever that an alleged gold smuggling racket was exposed in the area with the arrest of two locals. Another person has been detained, an ITBP official said.

The accused were intercepted by an ITBP team that was out on a Long Range Patrolling in the border areas in Southern Sub Sector (SSS) in Eastern Ladakh to check infiltration and smuggling amid specific inputs of smuggling in the area near Sirigaple, Ladakh.

An operation codenamed Jazba was launched on July 7 and 8 from either directions of the SSS, which is a defined border and not unmarked as in other areas of Eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control (LAC) where Indian and Chinese troops are in a stand-off since May 2020.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-a-first-108-kg-gold-biscuits-seized-near-defined-china-border-in-eastern-ladakh-two-locals-arrested/article68388653.ece

Illegal and unregistered medicines worth Rs15 million have been seized in a joint raid by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) State Bank Circle and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

According to the FIA spokesperson, the raid took place in Gulshan-e-Roomi within the jurisdiction of Malir Cantonment.

The accused, identified as Anoop Kumar, was found storing and selling unregistered medicines from various international pharmaceutical companies, including those based in the US.

Anoop Kumar was allegedly using a Facebook page named ‘Vitamindec’ to market these medicines online. Imported cosmetics, shampoos, and nutritional products from various foreign brands were also recovered during the raid.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2478320/illegal-drugs-cosmetics-worth-rs15m-seized-in-raid

The action was conducted on July 10, near Khed Shivapur along the Pune-Satara highway.

During the operation, authorities intercepted a suspicious 14-wheeler truck near Hotel Jagdamba. Upon inspection, they made a startling discovery of 79,680 bottles of 180 ml capacity and 6,480 bottles of 750 ml capacity of Royal Blue Malt Whiskey. The liquor, originally intended for sale exclusively in Goa, was valued at ₹ 1.28 Crore and found without necessary transport documentation.

The Saswad state excise division has initiated legal proceedings under sections 65(a)(e), 80, 81, 83, 90, 103, and 108 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, highlighting the state’s stringent stance against illicit liquor trade. This action underscores the commitment to uphold legal regulations and deter unlawful activities in the region.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/liquor-smuggling-racket-busted-by-state-excise-101720636406399.html

Pune: In a significant operation led by State Excise officials from Saswad Division,  Pune, a major smuggling racket was unearthed involving liquor purportedly transported under the guise of cosmetics. Acting on confidential information, a team of inspectors conducted raids today, July 10, 2024, in the vicinity of Mauje Khed Shivapur village along the Satara-Pune highway. Upon inspection, authorities discovered a staggering 79,680 bottles of 180 ml capacity and 6,480 bottles of 750 ml capacity of Royal Blue Malt Whiskey, originally manufactured and intended for sale exclusively in Goa.

The seized liquor, valued at Rs. 1.28 Cr, was found without necessary transport documentation. Additionally, a Bharat Benz car and mobile phone, collectively valued at Rs. 1.51 Cr were impounded. One individual, identified as Sunil Chakraborty, was apprehended in connection with the smuggling operation. In response to the findings, the Saswad Department has initiated legal proceedings under sections 65(a)(e), 80, 81, 83, 90, 103, and 108 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. The case, registered underscores the state’s firm stance against illicit liquor trade, reaffirming the commitment to uphold legal regulations and deter unlawful activities in the region.

https://punemirror.com/pune/crime/massive-seizure-in-saswad-smuggled-goa-liquor-disguised-as-cosmetics/cid1720605526.htm

Assam: Machkhowa Police in Dhemaji district, Assam, carried out a major search operation on July 9 which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of illegal Arunachali liquor, dealing a substantial blow to the illicit trade.

The raid also led to the confiscation of a Hyundai Eon vehicle bearing the registration number AS-04L-3160. The vehicle was being used to transport the contraband.

Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend those involved in the illicit operation.

https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assam-police-seizes-large-quantity-of-illegal-arunchali-liquor-in-dhemaji-1045680-2024-07-09

New Delhi: Two Bihar men, both in their late twenties, frustrated by their monotonous lives decided to mint easy money by smuggling liquor into the dry state in such a manner that they evade the law of the land. The alleged duo would have continued to thrive in their illegal liquor business had Head Constable Manoj Kumar posted at the Anti-Auto Theft Squad in the Dwarka district not received a crucial input.

On July 3, the Delhi Police received a tip-off about a syndicate of illicit liquor suppliers, who are involved in supplying illegal liquor to Hazipur, Bihar and were present at Bharthal Village, loading the liquor in a container from their rented godown.

Immediately, the cops swung into action and a team was dispatched to Bharthal Village near Dada Mota Mandir Firni Road.

A total of 13,264 quarters of liquor meant to be supplied only in Haryana was found and seized by the Delhi Police. Accordingly, a case was lodged under relevant provisions of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the accused duo was arrested.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Jul/08/stash-of-smuggled-liquor-to-dry-bihar-seized

Kallakurichi: The Crime Branch-CID on Thursday, July 4, 2024, seized 2,000 litres of methanol, an industrial chemical from a sump in an unused petrol bunk in Veeraperumanallur near Panruti, in Cuddalore district.

CB-CID sources said the seizure was made following the interrogation of Madesh, who has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the hooch tragedy at Karunapuram in Kallakurichi, which has claimed 65 lives so far. Madesh is suspected to have supplied the poisonous brew to bootleggers in Kallakurichi. After supplying the methanol to the bootlegger in Karunapuram, Madesh had stored the remaining stock in a sump in an unused petrol bunk that he had taken on lease in Veeraperumanallur near Panruti. The methanol, totalling 2,000 litres, was seized and it is now part of the property related to the case,” an official said.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-2000-litres-of-methanol-seized-from-unused-petrol-bunk-in-cuddalore-district/article68365938.ece