Assam’s Dhemaji Excise Raid: 3 Arrested, 420 Bottles and 13,500 Fake Holograms Recovered

A joint team of the Excise Department and local police conducted a raid at Bamgaon in Silapathar, under Assam's Dhemaji district on Wednesday night and seized a large quantity of illegal liquor and related materials.

The raid was led by District Excise Officer Dibyajyoti Dihingia. During the operation three youths were arrested and officials recovered a huge stock of Arunachal-made liquor, along with thousands of labels and holograms meant for Assam-made liquor. Several sacks filled with empty liquor bottles were also seized from the spot.

Further investigation led to the seizure of 420 bottles of Imperial Blue whiskey, including both half and quarter bottles. Officials also recovered 13,500 fake holograms, 1,050 Royal Stag stickers, 2,500 IB Black stickers, 1,008 McDowell’s No. 1 stickers, and 160 Kingfisher beer stickers.

Excise officials said that “cheap liquor was being brought from Arunachal Pradesh and refilled in bottles using Assam liquor labels and holograms to cheat consumers and make illegal profits. They also suspect that harmful chemicals were being used in the preparation of the liquor, which could be dangerous for public health.”

The Excise Department also stated that “this is only the beginning and more strict raids will be carried out in the coming days to stop illegal liquor trade and other unlawful activities.”

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