Baripada, March 21: In a crackdown on illegal liquor smuggling, Udala police seized a large quantity of country liquor from a private bus and apprehended a minor involved in the operation.The incident came to light after police conducted a raid at the Udala bus stand and intercepted a private bus, “Rajababu”, which was en route to Bhubaneswar. During the search, officers recovered country liquor concealed inside soft drink bottles and packed in branded bags.Police said the accused were using expensive bags marked with identification codes to transport the liquor discreetly. The country liquor was filled into used soft drink bottles in Patashanipur area and then carried like regular luggage by the accused.Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted the bus while the consignment was being transported from Patashanipur to Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar. Three bags were seized during the operation, containing a total of 34 bottles filled with country liquor.Out of the three persons involved, one minor has been detained, while the other two managed to escape. Police have launched a manhunt to trace the absconding accused.The use of coded bags and disguised packaging points to a well-organised smuggling network, police added
