Nongpoh, March 4 – A joint operation led by the Ri Bhoi and Assam Excise Departments resulted in the busting of an illegal liquor bottling unit near the Shillong Bypass in Umiam on Sunday afternoon.
The operation, carried out at around 1:30 pm, followed intelligence inputs from the Assam Excise Department. Authorities managed to uncover a large-scale illegal liquor manufacturing facility near the Shillong Bypass, though a second suspected location at the Umiam Industrial Complex yielded no significant findings.
During the raid, officials seized several items used in the illicit operation, including bending tags, a storage tank, a capping machine, production lines, flavoring and coloring agents, and counterfeit holograms from both Assam and Meghalaya. Finished products, including popular brands like OC, OC Blue, Royal Stag, and McDowell’s No.1, totaling 20 to 25 bottles, were also confiscated.
In addition to the liquor, excise labels from both states, along with empty bottles and cartons, were recovered. All items were seized as evidence for further legal proceedings.
Ri Bhoi Superintendent of Excise, R.C. Lyngdoh, confirmed the bust but stated that the identity of the individuals behind the illegal operation remains unknown. Authorities are working to gather more information, including inquiries with the headman of Nonsder village. The investigation is ongoing, and legal action will be pursued in the District and Sessions Court in Nongpoh.
