Gajoldoba, 03rd September: A joint team of the Excise Department, police and Central Armed Police Force conducted a major crackdown against the production and storage of country liquor in the forested area adjoining Saraswatipur Tea Estate near Gajoldoba early Thursday morning.
During searches at various locations in Saraswatipur, the team recovered 135 litres of country liquor and 3,920 litres of fermented wash used in the production of liquor. The seized materials were estimated to be worth around ₹8.51 lakh.
According to officials, country liquor was allegedly being produced and stored at several concealed locations in the tea garden and forest areas. During the search, the team found country liquor and fermented wash hidden underground and at various spots inside the forest.
The recovered country liquor and fermented wash were subsequently destroyed.
The operation was attended by the Assistant Magistrate and Assistant Collector of Jalpaiguri, Deputy Excise Collector of Bhakti Nagar Range Kirat Singh Virdi, Assistant Revenue Collector (Excise), Bhorer Alo Police Station OC Sudip Dutta, Gajoldoba Outpost OC Rasbihari Saha and other officials of the District Excise Department.
Deputy Excise Collector Kirat Singh Virdi said the operation was conducted jointly by all teams of the Jalpaiguri District Excise Department, Bhorer Alo Police under the Siliguri Police Commissionerate and Gajoldoba Outpost Police, with the Central Armed Police Force also participating in the operation.
He said searches conducted at various locations led to the recovery of 135 litres of country liquor and 3,920 litres of fermented wash.
