Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Sept 16: On Monday, officials from the Excise Department seized a large quantity of counterfeit liquor from a government-licensed shop in the Baramunda area of Bhubaneswar. The seizure followed a surprise raid at the licensed store, where officials discovered discrepancies in the liquor bottles.
Prior to the raid, the Excise Department had collected samples and identified that the caps, holograms, and other features on the liquor bottles differed from those of the authentic brands.
The raid initially targeted the residence of the shop staff, where several caps and excise adhesives were found. Subsequently, the team raided the shop and identified counterfeit caps and labels on numerous liquor bottles.
To verify the authenticity of liquor, consumers can scan a QR code on the bottle to view its serial number, brand, and quantity. The Excise Department plans to conduct regular checks and collect samples from various liquor shops to ensure compliance.
During Monday’s operation, stock valued at approximately Rs 40 lakh was seized, and samples will be sent for further examination. The shop is licensed to a person from Jharkhand.
