Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on illicit liquor and narcotics during the ongoing festival season, the Odisha Excise Department has intensified enforcement activities across the state under a special drive that commenced on October 10.

The drive aims to curb the manufacture, possession, storage, sale, transportation and smuggling of illicitly distilled (ID) liquor, non-duty-paid and duplicate liquor, spirit, narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and other contraband.

During the first five days of the drive, the Department registered altogether 958 cases, including 25 NDPS cases, and arrested 470 persons, who have been forwarded to the Court.

The enforcement operations resulted in the seizure of 46,218 bulk litres of ID liquor, 39 litres of duplicate foreign liquor, 795 kg of Mahua flowers, 931 kg of ganja, 135 grams of heroin and 25.4 litres of codeine-based cough syrup. The Department also seized 62 vehicles used in the commission of these offences.

The market value of the seized contraband is stated to be over Rs 5 crore.

The special drive will continue until October 31, with the Department maintaining heightened vigilance and intensifying enforcement measures to prevent the circulation of illicit liquor, narcotic substances and other contraband during the festival season.