A major crackdown against the illegal transportation of liquor was executed by the Excise and Taxation Department in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Authorities intercepted a truck near Jarad on the Kullu-Manali four-lane highway and recovered a massive consignment of beer boxes hidden inside. The department has seized the vehicle along with the entire liquor stock and formally lodged an FIR at the Bhuntar police station, stepping up efforts to curb interstate smuggling rings.
Vehicle intercepted during routine checkpoint checks
On September 3, 2026, at approximately 7:40 AM, an excise team had set up a regular checkpoint near the District Institute of Education and Training in Jarad. During the operation, officials flagged down a truck for a routine inspection. Upon searching the cargo area, they discovered a large number of beer cartons stacked inside, all of which bore the mandatory label indicating they were meant exclusively for sale in Punjab. When asked to produce valid transit passes, permits, and other legal documents authorizing the transport, the driver failed to present any satisfactory paperwork on the spot.
Breakdown of the 7200 seized beer bottles
The search yielded a total of 500 cartons containing various popular beer brands. Specifically, the haul included 294 cartons of Tuborg Strong in 650 ml bottles, 100 cartons of Budweiser Magnum in 500 ml bottles, and 106 cartons of Kingfish Strong in 650 ml bottles. In total, the 500 cartons comprised 4,800 bottles of the 650 ml variant and 2,400 bottles of the 500 ml variant, bringing the grand total to 7,200 bottles of beer.
Officials present during the seizure
The operation was carried out in the presence of Suresh Sharma, Assistant State Tax and Excise Officer for Kullu district; Gangaram, Assistant State Tax and Excise Officer for the Banjar circle; excise police constable Ashok Kumar; and truck driver Suresh Kumar. The illicit stock and the transport vehicle were taken into official custody in accordance with the regulations, and further legal proceedings are underway under Section 39(1) of the Himachal Pradesh Excise Act, 2011.
Statements from the Excise Deputy Commissioner
Excise Deputy Commissioner Gaganesh Kumar stated that the department team successfully intercepted 500 boxes of illegal liquor acting on specific intelligence during the checkpoint operation. Applauding the alertness and prompt action displayed by his officers and staff, he emphasized that enforcement drives and thorough inspections will continue unremittingly in the future to effectively dismantle the illegal liquor trade.
