Police in Kabirdham district (Chhattisgarh, India) have busted a large-scale counterfeit alcohol operation, cleverly disguised as a palm sugar production facility in Podi village. The site is owned by Nand Kumar Kurre, a former MP.
According to investigators, authorities raided the premises on November 26th after receiving a tip about illegal alcohol production. Upon arrival, suspects were allegedly attempting to dispose of evidence by burying materials in the sand surrounding the facility.
At the scene, police arrested four individuals and seized a significant amount of counterfeit alcohol production materials, including empty bottles, caps, labels, fake stamps, chemicals, containers, and packaging machinery. All evidence and suspects were taken to Podi police station for further questioning.
Preliminary investigations reveal a well-organized operation, functioning as a mini-factory. The group imported packaging materials, counterfeit labels, chemicals, and alcohol from other states for on-site mixing. Notably, most raw materials, particularly chemicals and packaging, originated from Jharkhand.
Arrested suspects confessed that an accomplice in Jharkhand supplied counterfeit packaging materials, labels, holograms, and bottle caps. This indicates a federal network, extending beyond Chhattisgarh.
Further investigations identified two additional local suspects. One is currently detained in another case, while the other remains at large, with authorities actively searching for them.
Dharmendra Singh, a police representative, stated that initial interrogations may reveal crucial details about the operation’s true scale. Police are verifying the facility’s operational duration, supply sources, methods, and the distribution network for the counterfeit alcohol.
Officials anticipate significant disclosures in the coming days, particularly regarding the mastermind and key figures in this interstate counterfeit alcohol supply chain. The crackdown will continue to dismantle the entire network.
