45 held in crackdown on illegal liquor manufacturing in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The city police have arrested 45 persons in a massive cordon-and-search operation in Dhoolpet area here in a crackdown on manufacturing of illicit liquor, police said on Monday.

As per reports, the operation involved over 350 police personnel and was supervised by Deputy Commissioner of Police V Satyanarayana. Some 20,000 liters of molasses were destroyed in the operation carried out on Sunday.

The area is notorious for bootlegging and has witnessed attacks on policemen or excise department officials during raids earlier, the DCP said.

In some cases, bootleggers threatened to immolate themselves. But yesterday, police carried out a well-planned operation with the support of quick reaction teams, he said. In spite of resistance and hurdles the operation was completed successfully.

Thirty-one two-wheelers used for transportation of illicitly distilled liquor, 110 gas cylinders used for illegal refilling and vessels which are used for manufacture of liquor were seized, Satyanarayana said.

Of the arrested, 12 were absconders wanted in various cases. Sixteen cases were registered against the accused.