Guwahati, June 21: A joint team from the Excise Intelligence Bureau, Guwahati, along with officials from the Bongaigaon and Chirang Excise departments, busted an illegal manufacturing unit at Santipur Khagrabari in Chirang district on June 20.
According to officials, three individuals—Dwimalu Basumatary, Alongbar Basumatary, and Kumar Basumatary—all residents of Sootea in Biswanath district, were arrested from the site.
An official said that a coordinated operation was planned involving multiple units from across Assam to intercept and dismantle the unauthorized operation.
A substantial quantity of illicit liquor and related materials was seized during the raid. The seized items included 218 cases of Officer’s Choice, 106 cases of McDowell’s No.1, and 61 cases of Imperial Blue. Around 2,000 litres of extra neutral alcohol and 1,000 litres of blended liquor were also recovered. Other materials included 48,000 fake holograms, 5.6 lakh fake labels, 1.09 lakh bottle caps, and 3,750 cartons.
In addition, 65 bags of empty bottles, nine drums, two blending vats (each with a capacity of 750 litres), 49 litres of caramel, 3.5 litres of flavouring agents, two water pumps, and one sealing machine were found.
The scale of the materials recovered indicates the extensive nature of the illegal operation.
