In a raid on an illicit liquor bottling unit at Phayeng Bazar, Imphal West, Manipur Police yesterday nabbed seven non-local individuals along with one person from Jiribam who were allegedly involved in manufacturing fake branded liquor on a large scale.
Those arrested include Chingakham Bihari of Jiribam; Madhav Lahon and Buddheswar Neog from Dibrugarh, Assam; Chandan Lahon of Barbeel, Dibrugarh; Bimal Neog and Tilak Neog from Dhemaji, Assam; and Hemanta Neog of Dhemaji, along with another associate linked to the network.
Police seized multiple 200-litre steel drums filled with alcohol-like liquid, bottling machines, pressure gauges, scented chemical drums, unlabeled bottles, fake ‘McDowell’ and ‘Iconiq’ label stickers, carton bundles, bottle covers, and a red mini-truck reportedly used for transporting the illegal goods.
Investigation is underway to trace the supply chain and market network of the fake liquor racket.
