The Prohibition and Excise Department in Araria has made a significant bust against liquor smuggling, seizing 2603.16 liters of foreign liquor. The operation took place near Rani Chowk in the Jogihat police station area, along the Kishanganj-Araria four-lane highway. The department had received a tip-off that a large consignment of foreign liquor was being transported from Kishanganj towards Forbesganj via the four-lane road.

Acting on the intelligence, a team was formed under the direction of the Excise Inspector-cum-Station House Officer, Araria. The team was led by Sub-Inspector of Excise Shivgyan Kumar and included Assistant Sub-Inspector Sonalal, excise constables, and home guard personnel. The team initiated vehicle checks near Rani Chowk. During this operation, a suspicious truck (NL01G-9104) approaching from the Kishanganj side was spotted. The driver attempted to turn the truck around and flee upon seeing the inspection team, but the alert team quickly surrounded and apprehended it.

A search of the truck revealed a large quantity of foreign liquor. The truck driver, identified as Shambhu Sahni, son of Arjun Sahni, a resident of Josipur Pargania Tola, Kabaiya police station, Muzaffarpur district, was arrested on the spot. The Excise Department has confiscated the liquor and the truck. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under the relevant sections of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, and further action is being taken. The department is now investigating the source of the liquor consignment, its destination, and the involvement of other individuals in this smuggling operation.