Jharkhand News : In a major crackdown on illegal liquor smuggling, the Government Railway Police (GRP), Koderma, seized 243.650 kilograms of illicit mahua liquor from the Varanasi MEMU Express during a late-evening operation on Sunday. Police suspect the consignment was being transported for smuggling into Bihar, where prohibition is in force.
According to officials, the seizure was made during a routine inspection of Train No. 13553 Varanasi MEMU Express at Lalbag Halt railway station. During the check, GRP personnel found six unattended sacks placed beneath passengers’ seats. The sacks emitted a strong smell of mahua liquor.
Police immediately questioned the passengers in the coach, but no one claimed ownership of the bags. The sacks were then removed from the train and searched in the presence of independent witnesses.
During the search, officials recovered plastic packets containing mahua liquor from all six sacks. The total weight of the seized liquor was found to be 243.650 kilograms.
The entire consignment was seized following legal procedures, and a seizure memo was prepared in the presence of GRP personnel and independent witnesses. The recovered liquor was later handed over to the Excise Department for further legal action.
According to the railway police, Bihar’s prohibition law has made railway routes through Koderma a frequent target for liquor smugglers. Investigators are now trying to identify the owner of the consignment and determine its intended destination.
GRP officials said regular inspection drives will continue on trains passing through the region to curb illegal liquor smuggling and ensure the safety and security of passengers.
