Telangana Excise Department Filed 1,646 Cases in July and 1,420 in August, Bringing Total Cases to 3,086
Telangana Excise Department intensifies crackdown, registers over 3,000 cases in two months
Hyderabad: The Telangana Excise Department has stepped up its campaign against illegal liquor and drugs, registering more than 3,000 cases in just two months as officials intensify checks across the state.
The crackdown targets non-duty paid liquor (NDPL), illicitly distilled liquor and narcotic substances. For authorities, the drive is not only about enforcing excise laws but also about preventing potentially dangerous products from reaching consumers and protecting communities from the wider impact of illegal alcohol and drug networks.
The department registered 1,646 cases in July and another 1,420 cases in August , taking the two-month total to 3,086 cases . During the same period, 2,707 suspects were arrested , while 487 vehicles were seized in connection with the enforcement operations.
Officials said the results have improved after personnel from local Excise stations joined the special enforcement teams. Station House Officers, Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors are now participating alongside the Special Task Force (STF), Enforcement and District Task Force (DTF) teams.
The coordinated approach has allowed officials to conduct more inspections and strengthen surveillance at multiple points across the state.
Illicit liquor remains a major concern
One of the department’s major targets is illicitly distilled liquor, which officials say can pose a serious public health risk because its contents and production methods are not regulated.
In July, Excise officials seized 6,074 litres of illicit liquor . They also destroyed 90,740 litres of jaggery wash , a substance used in the preparation of illicit liquor, and seized 30,329 kg of jaggery .
The enforcement continued in August, when officials seized another 5,010 litres of illicit liquor . Teams destroyed 73,480 litres of jaggery wash and seized 17,840 kg of jaggery .
For enforcement officials, stopping production at its source is important because simply intercepting finished liquor does not break the supply chain. Destroying the material used to produce illicit liquor can prevent further batches from entering the market.
NDPL smuggling comes under closer watch
The department has also increased surveillance on liquor allegedly being transported illegally into Telangana from states and Union Territories where alcohol prices can be comparatively lower, including Delhi, Haryana and Goa .
In August, Mettupally Excise officials seized 70 boxes of liquor allegedly transported from the Bhiwandi and Haveli areas of Maharashtra in one operation. In another operation, officials seized a further 30 boxes .
Authorities have also been conducting checks near Pahadishareef to intercept liquor allegedly transported from Goa through the airport route.
Travel routes have become an important focus of the enforcement drive. Excise teams are checking buses and trains arriving from Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and other popular tourist destinations to identify illegal liquor shipments.
During the two-month period, officials seized 2,558 liquor bottles , with an estimated value of approximately Rs 50 lakh .
Drug crackdown also intensified
The enforcement campaign has expanded beyond alcohol, with Excise personnel also targeting the illegal movement of ganja and other narcotic substances.
Officials seized 872 kg of ganja during July and August, with an estimated value of around Rs 4 crore . Additional seizures of other narcotic substances were also reported.
The figures highlight the scale of the challenge facing enforcement agencies. Illegal liquor and drugs often move through multiple routes, making regular surveillance and coordinated action essential.
For families and communities, the issue is more than a series of enforcement statistics. Illicit alcohol can carry serious health risks, while drug trafficking can fuel addiction and related social problems. Officials therefore say continued action is necessary to disrupt the networks supplying these substances.
The Telangana Excise Department has indicated that enforcement operations will be intensified further. Officials are expected to maintain checks at transport routes, monitor suspected supply networks and strengthen coordination between local stations and specialised teams.
The message from the department is clear: the crackdown will continue, with authorities aiming to make it increasingly difficult for illicit liquor, NDPL and drugs to enter and circulate across Telangana.
Telangana Excise registered 3,086 cases in July and August.
2,707 suspects were arrested and 487 vehicles seized .
Officials seized more than 11,000 litres of illicit liquor over two months.
Large quantities of jaggery wash and jaggery used in illicit liquor production were destroyed or seized.
2,558 liquor bottles worth about Rs 50 lakh were seized.
Officials seized 872 kg of ganja , estimated at around Rs 4 crore .
Checks are being conducted on buses, trains, vehicles and key transport routes.
Excise officials said the enforcement drive will be intensified further .