Fake foreign liquor seized from a licensed shop in Rourkela, three arrested

Odisha: Excise officials seized a large quantity of counterfeit foreign liquor from a licensed wine shop near Bisra Road in Rourkela.

Acting on a tip-off, the department raided the shop and found three people filling bottles with counterfeit liquor and affixing fake labels in a back room. Officials seized a large stock of counterfeit foreign liquor and arrested three accused.

Officials revealed that the racket extended beyond Rourkela. The counterfeit liquor was being brought from Sambalpur and supplied to the Rourkela market. Raids are also being conducted in Sambalpur to uncover the larger network.

The Excise Department confirmed that the outlet’s branch in Bonai is also under investigation. This seizure highlights the growing challenge of the counterfeit liquor trade in Odisha, which poses a threat to public health and erodes customer confidence.

Officials described the operation as a major success but admitted that the recovery of such a large quantity of spurious liquor has increased concerns about illegal trade in the state.