In a major crackdown on illegal liquor trafficking, a joint team of Assam and Meghalaya police seized illicit alcohol worth over ₹10 lakh during a raid at the Jorabat inter-state checkpoint on June 20. Acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted a suspiciously modified truck allegedly en route to Mizoram. Upon inspection, they discovered over 800 bottles of high-end liquor concealed inside cartons marked as fruit juice and packaged food.
Two individuals from Mizoram, including the driver and helper, were taken into custody on the spot. Preliminary investigation suggests the consignment was part of a larger smuggling network operating along the Assam-Meghalaya-Mizoram corridor, which has seen a spike in such illegal activities due to varying excise regulations across the Northeast states.
Officials from the Excise Department, who joined the operation, said the liquor did not carry any valid documents or tax markings, confirming its illegal origin. The accused are being interrogated to identify key suppliers and links in the supply chain. Further raids are expected in the coming days.
The seizure has raised concerns over the growing use of Assam’s highway network for organized liquor smuggling. Authorities have announced stricter surveillance at interstate borders and routine checks to curb the menace.