Drive against illicit liquor trade stepped upRaids conducted along borders with Odisha,TG, TN and K’taka

The Andhra Pradesh Prohibition and Excise Department has intensified its crackdown on cross-border illicit liquor trade under the ongoing Navodayam 2.0 initiative. In a large-scale operation involving over 380 officers from Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states, coordinated raids were conducted along the borders with Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, leading to major seizures and the dismantling of illegal brewing units.
The drive was launched following instructions from Principal Secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena, with Excise Commissioner Nishant Kumar and Enforcement Director Rahuldev Sharma overseeing the operations.
Enforcement teams destroyed over 56,200 litres of fermented jaggery wash (FJ wash), seized 2,070 litres of illicitly distilled (ID) liquor, and dismantled 50 brewing setups. A total of 28 cases were booked across the border districts.
In Srikakulam district, joint operations on 11 April with 132 officers from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha led to the destruction of 26,500 litres of FJ wash and the seizure of 1,750 litres of ID liquor. Twelve cases were registered in known hotspots such as Potkasing, Budajola and Gongapur.
In Parvathipuram Manyam, raids on 7 and 8 April resulted in the seizure of 260 litres of ID liquor, destruction of 22,900 litres of FJ wash, and recovery of 15 kilograms of ammonia. Nine cases were booked in areas including Eguva Bothadapalli, Jayakota, and Kutrubankidi.
In Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, successive raids with Telangana officials on 3 April targeted Gunduvari Gudem and Pichhukulapadu, leading to the seizure of 260 litres of ID liquor and destruction of 25,300 litres of FJ wash. A previous operation in December had led to the seizure of 200 litres of ID liquor.
In Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh teams and Tamil Nadu authorities dismantled 50 illegal brewing units along the Ramakuppam Mandal corridor on 5 April. Though no liquor was seized, the operation served as a deterrent.
In Anantapur and Sri Satya Sai districts, raids conducted on 12 and 13 April resulted in six arrests, five new cases, and the destruction of 1,695 litres of FJ wash and 32 litres of ID liquor.
Commissioner Nishant Kumar emphasised that sustained interstate collaboration is vital to eradicating the liquor smuggling network. Enforcement Director Rahuldev Sharma added that Navodayam 2.0 operations would be further intensified to ensure public safety and compliance with the law.