A joint operational team comprising the local police and the Excise Department in the Kapurthala district of Punjab has uncovered a highly sophisticated illicit liquor storage and distribution network. During a targeted raid in Nyapind Bhattha village, enforcement officers discovered an ingenious mechanism engineered to conceal illegal alcohol beneath domestic flooring. The search of two residential properties revealed custom built subterranean storage tanks hidden beneath floor tiles, equipped with powered motor pumps to quietly pump out illicit liquor for sale without attracting local suspicion.
Underground Storage Tanks Built Beneath Kitchen and Bathroom Floors
Investigations revealed that the residential structures were specifically modified to mask illegal commercial operations. While initial physical inspections of the living premises yielded no obvious contraband, law enforcement officials acted on specific intelligence and ordered the removal of floor tiles across multiple sections of the properties. Beneath the tiled floors of bathrooms, kitchens, and residential rooms, search teams discovered large capacity drums and customized storage tanks brimming with illicit countrymade liquor, complete with connected pumping apparatus for rapid extraction.
Over 2,91,000 mL of Illegal Alcohol Seized in Operations
The raid resulted in the seizure of a total of 2,91,070 mL of unauthorized countrymade liquor across the two interconnected properties owned by an uncle and nephew duo. Police arrested the uncle, identified as Ajit Singh, at the scene during the operation. However, his nephew, Sukhjeet Singh, managed to evade capture and fled the location before officers could secure the perimeter. A detailed breakdown of the recovery confirms that 2,79,820 mL of liquor was retrieved from tanks beneath the bathroom and kitchen floors at Sukhjeet Singh's residence, while 11,250 mL was recovered from under the rooms and bathroom floor at Ajit Singh's home.
Clever Tile Concealment Foil Previous Enforcement Raids
Providing details of the enforcement action, Superintendent of Police Harinder Singh Gill stated that intelligence reports concerning illegal liquor distribution from these premises had been gathered over time. Previous raids conducted by joint teams had repeatedly failed to yield physical evidence due to the seamless tile construction covering the underground tanks. Following verified intelligence, law enforcement executed a planned raid on July 28, prying open the tiled flooring to expose the concealed storage network.
Supply Chain Investigation and Public Safety Warning
Superintendent of Police Harinder Singh Gill emphasized that investigators are currently tracing the distribution channels and commercial network associated with the seized alcohol. The Excise Department is expanding its inquiry to identify additional associates involved in sourcing and distributing the illicit supply. Furthermore, police authorities issued an urgent public safety warning advising citizens against purchasing cheap or unverified countrymade liquor. Officials cautioned that uninspected illegal alcohol frequently contains dangerous chemical contaminants capable of causing severe toxicity or fatal health complications. A targeted manhunt remains active to apprehend the absconding suspect, Sukhjeet Singh.
