Puri, Jan 24: Puri police launched an intensive district-wide crackdown against illegal liquor trade under a special drive titled “Operation Chakra,” registering 853 cases and arresting 846 people, including 63 women, officials said.

The special operation was conducted across all police station limits in Puri district during 2025 under the direction of Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh. The drive targeted illegal liquor production, sale and transportation, with coordinated raids carried out at multiple locations based on specific intelligence inputs.

Police said chargesheets were filed in 772 cases. During the operation, large quantities of illegal liquor, intoxicants and cash were seized from different parts of the district.

According to police data, seizures included 1,462 litres of foreign liquor, 8,193 litres of Indian-made country liquor, 1,870 litres of fermented materials (Pocha), 8.4 kg of bhang, and 65 litres of liquid bhang. In addition, Rs 6,46,134 in cash was recovered during enforcement actions.

Officials said the illegal liquor trade was being operated through an organised network, which police teams dismantled during the drive. The SP directed all police stations to adopt a zero-tolerance approach against illegal liquor activities. As part of the directive, police intensified regular raids, strengthened surveillance on repeat offenders, enhanced intelligence gathering and tightened checks in border areas.

Puri police appealed to the public to share any information related to illegal liquor production or sale with the nearest police station or by dialling 112. Officials assured that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.

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Police reiterated that illegal liquor trade would not be tolerated in the district and similar enforcement drives would continue in the future.