Jagatsinghpur Police have exposed a long-running illegal liquor trade in the Nuapada area, seizing a large consignment of 880 bottles of foreign liquor during a raid.

According to police sources, the contraband was being transported in a Swift Dzire car bearing registration number OD-33-3500. Acting on specific intelligence, police intercepted the vehicle near Pakanpur while it was allegedly en route to distribute the liquor illegally.

During the operation, the driver of the vehicle, Chandan alias Shiv Prasad Das (25) of Nuapada, was arrested. However, another accused identified as Muna alias Sangram Pradhan managed to escape from the scene after spotting the police team.

Police recovered a substantial quantity of liquor from the car’s boot and rear seat. Preliminary investigation indicates that the liquor was allegedly procured from a foreign liquor shop located in Dihasahi and later sold illegally at higher prices.

A case has also been registered against Dilip Ray, the manager of the Dihasahi foreign liquor outlet, for his suspected involvement in the supply chain. SDPO Ajinkya Mane informed the media about the development during a press briefing.

Further investigation is underway to trace the absconding accused and uncover the broader network behind the illegal liquor trade.