Sangrur, Apr 27 (UNI) Punjab 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 pilfered Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), averting a potential major hooch tragedy.

The ENA was to be used to produce illicit liquor.

Cheema, who also chairs the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ Cabinet Sub-Committee, revealed 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.

Emphasising the gravity of the seizure, 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.

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