Siliguri, 25th September: Two individuals were arrested by the Jalpaiguri Excise Department (ED) while attempting to smuggle liquor worth over lakhs without paying the necessary revenue from Sikkim. The arrested accused have been identified as Sandip Rai and Pragyan Rai.
According to reports, the Special Commissioner of Revenue alerted the Jalpaiguri ED about the illegal liquor entering Darjeeling district from Sikkim. Acting on this tip-off, the Excise Department launched an operation in the Ghoom and Jorthang areas of Darjeeling and Sikkim. During this, officials spotted a pickup van approaching from Jorthang. The pickup van was chased and caught in the Makaibari Tea Estate area.
Upon inspection, a large quantity of liquor cartons, with an estimated market value of approximately 11 lakh rupees, was recovered. The driver and his accomplice were arrested, both hailing from the Bijanbari area of Darjeeling. The pickup van used for the smuggling operation has also been seized. At present, the ED has initiated an investigation into other possible suspects involved in the illegal trade.