As many as 1,218 cases have been booked against individuals involved in the manufacture, transportation, and sale of illicit liquor in just 20 days in a Statewide crackdown carried out by Excise officials in Telangana. Significant quantities of illicit liquor, ganja and other narcotic substances have been seized.

According to officials, joint operations were conducted by the Excise Department, State Task Force (STF), District Task Force (DTF), Enforcement teams and the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) as part of a coordinated three-pronged enforcement drive targeting illicit liquor production, bar violations and drug-related activities.

During the operations, 4,643 litres of illicit liquor were seized, while 69,220 litres of jaggery wash used in the manufacture of illicit liquor were destroyed. In addition, 45,994 kilograms of jaggery was confiscated from various locations.

In separate drug-related enforcement actions, authorities seized 244 kilograms of ganja along with MDMA and other narcotic substances during the raids conducted across different districts.

Officials also carried out inspections at approximately 15 pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing companies to monitor the misuse of controlled substances, including alprazolam, fentanyl and mephedrone among others.

In Hyderabad and Rangareddy, officials inspected 47 bars following complaints of regulatory violations, and reports recommending action against several establishments have been submitted to higher authorities.

Further investigation is under way.