Siliguri, December 31 (Siliguri Chronicle) – Ahead of the New Year, police busted a major liquor smuggling racket in Siliguri, seizing a large consignment of foreign liquor worth several lakhs of rupees.
Acting on a tip-off, a team from Bhakti Nagar police station conducted a raid and intercepted a goods-laden truck carrying the illegal liquor from Sikkim. The driver of the vehicle was arrested on the spot. The arrested driver has been identified as Abhishek Vishwakarma, a resident of Rangpo in Sikkim.
Police said the seizure was part of intensified checks in the region ahead of the New Year celebrations. Further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the smuggling network.
According to police sources, on the night of December 30, a large consignment of foreign liquor of various brands was being transported from Sikkim to Siliguri. The liquor was concealed inside cartons loaded in a goods truck in an attempt to evade detection.
Before the vehicle could enter Siliguri, Bhakti Nagar police intercepted the Sikkim-registered truck near a check post on suspicion. During a search of the vehicle, police recovered eight cartons of Sikkim-made foreign liquor. Officials said the market value of the seized liquor is estimated to be in lakhs of rupees.
When asked to produce valid documents, the driver failed to do so and was subsequently arrested on charges of illegal liquor smuggling. A case has been registered against him under the Bengal Excise Act. Police said the accused will be produced before the Jalpaiguri court on Wednesday.
