Baloda Bazar: The Excise Department has intensified its crackdown on illegal mahua liquor production in Baloda Bazar district, seizing illicit alcohol and raw materials worth approximately ₹170,000 (about $2,000), officials said on Tuesday.
Acting on specific intelligence, teams from the Chhattisgarh Excise Department conducted a major raid in the Kasdol block, targeting suspected illegal brewing sites in the Ghathmadwa Dera area under the Gidhouri police station limits.
During the operation, officials recovered 2,550 kilograms of mahua wash (fermented raw material) stored in 85 plastic sacks, indicating large-scale preparation for illegal liquor production. In addition, 55 liters of ready-to-sell mahua liquor were seized from the site. The seized alcohol and raw materials were later destroyed on the spot in accordance with legal procedures.
Officials said the operation was carried out under the directions of Excise Commissioner R. Sangeeta, with close monitoring by District Collector Deepak Soni and District Excise Officer Mukesh Agrawal.
No suspects were present at the location during the raid. As a result, a case has been registered against unidentified individuals under relevant sections of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, 1915. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those involved, and questioning is underway in nearby villages.
In a separate action, excise teams also raided illegal brewing locations in the Arjuni area of Kasdol, where an additional 30 liters of illicit mahua liquor and related equipment were seized.
Excise officials issued a stern warning, stating that enforcement operations against illegal liquor manufacturing and distribution will continue in the coming days. Authorities emphasized that unregulated mahua liquor poses serious health risks and fuels illegal trade networks in rural areas.