Bhubaneswar: The joyous atmosphere of the festive season in Odisha is not shared by everyone, especially those involved in bootlegging and drug trafficking.

In a significant effort to combat illegal liquor and drug trade during the ongoing festivities, the Odisha Excise Department has heightened enforcement operations as part of a statewide initiative running from October 10 to 31.

Officials indicated that the purpose of this initiative is to eliminate the production, possession, storage, sale, transportation, and smuggling of illicitly distilled (ID) alcohol, non-duty-paid and counterfeit liquor, narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and various other illegal items.

In the first five days of the operation, the department recorded 958 cases, including 25 related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, leading to the arrest of 470 individuals, who were subsequently brought before the court.

Excise officials detailed the contraband seized during the enforcement actions, reporting the confiscation of 46,218 bulk liters of ID liquor, 39 liters of counterfeit foreign liquor, 795 kilograms of Mahua flowers, 931 kilograms of ganja, 135 grams of heroin, and 25.4 liters of codeine-based cough syrup. Additionally, 62 vehicles implicated in these illegal activities were also seized.

This special enforcement drive is set to persist until October 31, with the department committed to maintaining strict vigilance and enhancing actions to thwart the distribution of illegal liquor, narcotics, and other contraband during the festive period.