Illicit liquor seized from brick-laden tractor in West Champaran, two held

Bettiah: A joint team of the excise department and local police seized 1,386 litres of illicit foreign liquor concealed beneath bricks loaded on a tractor at Bagaha in West Champaran district. The operation was carried out late Tuesday night near Belahwa Mor under the Nautanwa police station area, police said on Wednesday.Acting on a tip-off, the police launched a vehicle-checking drive on Belahwa Road and intercepted the brick-laden tractor. During a thorough search, a large quantity of illegal foreign liquor was found hidden beneath the bricks, apparently to evade detection. The tractor was seized.Police arrested Aditya Chaudhary, son of Ramshish Mahto, and Laxman Kumar, son of Vijay Ram, both residents of the Shikarpur police station area. A case has been registered against them under relevant sections of the Excise Act.Excise inspector Pramod Kumar of Bagaha said, “The liquor was concealed beneath bricks to avoid detection, but timely action and vigilant checking led to its seizure. The accused are being interrogated, and strict action will be taken after tracing the entire supply chain.” Further investigation is underway to uncover the network involved in the smuggling operation, he added.