Excise Raid on Scrap Godown, Recovery of Liquor Worth Nearly 10 Lakhs from Sikkim

**Siliguri:** A large quantity of illegal liquor from Sikkim was stored under the guise of a scrap godown. Acting on a tip-off, the Excise Department recovered liquor worth approximately **10 lakh 12 thousand 500 rupees** from Sikkim. The godown has been sealed after the operation.

According to sources from the Excise Department, on Friday, Special Excise Commissioner Enforcement North Bengal **Sujit Das** received a tip-off that a large quantity of illegal liquor from Sikkim was stored in a scrap godown located in the **Tumbajot-Shishudangi area under the Matigara police station**.

After receiving the information, a team from the Jalpaiguri Excise Department, led by Sujit Das, conducted a raid on the godown. During the search, **45 cartons of illegal liquor from Sikkim** were recovered from inside the godown. According to the Excise Department's estimates, the market value of the recovered liquor is approximately **10 lakh 12 thousand 500 rupees**.

However, upon noticing the presence of excise officials during the operation, the individuals inside the godown fled the scene. As a result, no arrests could be made. The Excise Department then sealed the godown. All bottles of the recovered liquor have been confiscated and taken to the headquarters of the Excise Department.

Preliminary investigations by the excise officials suggest that the liquor was stored in the godown for the purpose of smuggling it to Siliguri or Bihar under the cover of darkness from Sikkim. Investigations are underway to determine how this liquor was stored under the guise of a scrap godown and who is behind it.

The Excise Department has initiated an investigation to identify those involved in this illegal liquor smuggling ring. Searches are also being conducted to locate the owner of the godown and individuals associated with the liquor trafficking.