In a significant crackdown on illicit liquor trade, police in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, recovered 40 cartons of foreign liquor worth Rs 10 lakh from a specially modified ambulance on Thursday evening. The seizure took place in Sadatpur under Kanti police station jurisdiction.
The ambulance’s driver, Mohammad Anees, was arrested at the scene, while two key suspects involved in the smuggling operation remain at large.
Anees disclosed that the liquor was smuggled from Siliguri, West Bengal, and that women posing as patients and caretakers were used to avoid police scrutiny at checkpoints. Bihar, which has enforced a total prohibition on alcohol since 2016, continues to face challenges in curbing such illicit activities despite stringent laws.
Secret Compartments and Smuggling Syndicate Unveiled
The ambulance appeared ordinary at first glance, complete with sirens and emergency markings, but police discovered a cleverly concealed compartment on its roof where the 40 cartons of foreign liquor were hidden. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement officials stopped the vehicle in Sadatpur and conducted a thorough search, leading to the discovery.
Driver Anees admitted to having smuggled liquor multiple times before and named two major syndicate leaders: Sunny Rai from Harpur, Kathaia, and Mohammad Ajhar from Tikha Vasudev. According to Anees, these individuals orchestrated the operation by using two women who posed as a patient and caretaker inside the ambulance, enabling the vehicle to pass through police checkpoints without suspicion.
Product Inspector Deepak Kumar Singh confirmed that the syndicate has repeatedly used ambulances and other official vehicles to transport contraband liquor. Police have intensified raids to apprehend the absconding suspects and dismantle the network.
Bihar’s Prohibition: A Persistent Struggle Against Illicit Liquor
Since the Nitish Kumar-led government implemented total prohibition on the sale and consumption of alcohol in 2016, Bihar has witnessed a decline in legal alcohol consumption but an increase in illicit smuggling activities. Smugglers have adapted by employing increasingly sophisticated methods, including modifying ambulances, police vehicles, and even press vans to conceal contraband.
This latest seizure highlights the ongoing enforcement challenges faced by authorities in curbing illegal liquor supply chains that operate across state borders.
The arrested driver’s confession has provided critical leads to uncover a larger smuggling network, which has been responsible for several previous large-scale liquor seizures in the region. Despite strict laws, the demand for alcohol and economic incentives continue to fuel this underground trade.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The persistence of liquor smuggling in Bihar, despite stringent prohibition laws, underscores the complexity of addressing social issues through legislation alone. While the intent behind prohibition is to safeguard public health and social welfare, the rise of sophisticated smuggling rings reveals that enforcement without addressing underlying demand and economic realities is insufficient.
The Logical Indian believes that a compassionate approach combining strict law enforcement with community engagement, education, and alternative livelihood opportunities is essential to bring lasting change.
Policies must be rooted in empathy and dialogue to foster social harmony and coexistence. We invite our readers to reflect: How can Bihar’s government, law enforcement, and communities collaborate effectively to tackle the root causes of illicit liquor trade while upholding the law and promoting social well-being?
