Imphal: Manipur Police and the Excise Department have intensified efforts to combat the illegal trade of alcohol across the state, with the arrest of three individuals for possessing and preparing to distribute illicit liquor.
More than 1,200 cases of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth over Rs 3.6 lakh and 360 litres of distilled indigenous country-made liquor were seized during the past 36 hours, police reported on Wednesday.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team detained two residents of Andro along with approximately 360 litres of DIC liquor, locally known as Andro-Yu (the fiery local liquor), from the Pallel Chandel Lamkhai area under Kakching Police Station in Kakching district.
The arrestees were later identified as Puthem Chingkheinganba Singh (39) and Heikrujam Ramananda Singh (25).
Police also detained Ahongshangbam Thenden Singh (55), a resident of Khaidem Awang Leikai in Imphal West district, along with the truck he was driving, bearing registration number MN05C-3481, at the Keithelmanbi area under Patsoi Police Station.
Police reported that 1,200 cases of IMFL were seized from the truck.
The seized IMFL includes popular blended whiskies such as Royal Stag, Officer’s Choice, Imperial Blue, Blenders Pride, and McDowell’s No. 1, along with premium Indian single malts from brands like Amrut, Paul John, Rampur, Indri, and Godawan, as well as others such as 8 PM, Antiquity, and Bagpiper, covering various spirits made in India in foreign styles.
Following due procedure, the seized items have been handed over to the Excise Department for necessary legal proceedings under the Manipur Liquor Prohibition (MLP) Act, 1991.