Chandigarh/Sangrur, April 27Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, today announced a significant breakthrough in the state’s ongoing ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, with the seizure of 2,240 litres of illegally pilfered Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), averting a potential major hooch tragedy. In addition, the Minister highlighted the campaign's success in registering 4,745 NDPS cases, arresting 7,536 individuals, and demolishing illegal properties of 71 smugglers.

Addressing a press conference at Sangrur, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also chairs the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ Cabinet Sub-Committee, revaled the details of the operation. “Acting on credible intelligence, a joint team of the Excise Department and Sangrur Police intercepted a vehicle on the Sangrur-Dirba Highway carrying approximately 200 litres of illicit Ethanol. The driver, identified as Shaan Mohd., was apprehended,” said Cheema.

“Further investigation led to the discovery of a clandestine storage facility, resulting in the recovery of 34 drums, each containing 60 litres, totaling 2,040 litres of ENA. Another accused, Armaan Mohd., was also taken into custody during the raid,” he added.

Emphasizing the gravity of the seizure, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this operation has successfully prevented a potential hooch tragedy, as this ENA could have been used to produce nearly 10,000 bottles of illicit liquor. He said that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the racket, and stringent legal action will be taken against them.

Prominent amongst others SSP Sangrur Sartaj Singh Chahal, ETO Sarupinder Singh Sandhu and DSP Rupinder Kaur Bajwa were also present on this occasion.