Bihar Liquor Crackdown Intensifies: Seizures Jump 18% in 2026 with Record Monthly Recoveries

Patna: The crackdown on illegal liquor in Bihar has intensified significantly, with monthly seizures in 2026 nearly doubling compared to previous years. The Prohibition and State Excise Intelligence Bureau has reported a consistent rise in enforcement outcomes since its formation in September 2025.

Addressing a press conference, Amit Kumar Jain, Additional Director General (ADG) of the bureau, shared detailed statistics highlighting the increasing success of anti-liquor operations across the state.

Significant Increase in Monthly Liquor Seizures

According to official data:

• In 2024, an average of 2.88 lakh litres of illegal liquor was seized per month
  
• In 2025, this rose to 3.14 lakh litres per month (9% increase)
  
• In 2026 (till February), seizures reached 3.70 lakh litres per month, marking an 18% increase over 2025
  

Overall, Bihar has witnessed a steady upward trend in enforcement, reflecting stricter implementation of the liquor prohibition law.

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Bureau-Level Action Shows Strong Results

The Prohibition Bureau’s independent operations have also shown sharp growth:

• 2025: 10.27 lakh litres seized (average 85,645 litres/month)
  
• 2026 (till February): 2.47 lakh litres seized (average 1.23 lakh litres/month)
  

The bureau also reported significant recovery of industrial spirit, with over 1.31 lakh litres seized at the state level.

Crackdown Extends Beyond Bihar

Enforcement agencies have expanded operations beyond state borders to curb illegal liquor supply:

• 2024: 4 raids (all in Jharkhand)
  
• 2025: 38 raids across Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh
  
  • 2.27 lakh litres of liquor seized
    
  • 55 vehicles confiscated
    
• 2026 (till date): Raids in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand
  
  • 25,997 litres seized
    
  • 5 arrests made
    

This interstate action reflects a coordinated strategy to dismantle supply networks.

Arrests and Legal Action Against Offenders

The intensified crackdown has led to a large number of arrests:

• 2025:
  
  • 48,780 suppliers and traders arrested
    
  • 76,795 consumers arrested
    
  • Total arrests: 1.25 lakh+ individuals
    
• 2026 (till February):
  
  • 8,072 traders and 14,755 consumers arrested
    
  • Total arrests: 22,827 individuals
    

Additionally, several major liquor smugglers from other states have been arrested and jailed.

Convictions and Strict Punishments

The state has also ensured strong legal action:

• 2025:
  
  • 152 cases resulted in convictions of 203 individuals
    
  • 2 received life imprisonment
    
  • 20 received over 10 years imprisonment
    
• 2026 (till date):
  
  • 12 individuals convicted in 10 cases
    

These strict punishments highlight the government’s commitment to enforcing prohibition laws.

Rising Seizure of Narcotic Substances

Apart from liquor, authorities have intensified action against narcotics as well. In 2026 (till February), seizures include:

• 7,415 kg of ganja
  
• 14 kg of charas
  
• 8.64 kg of heroin/brown sugar
  
• 53 kg of poppy (doda)
  
• 50,000+ capsules and 15,000+ injections
  
• 9,743 litres of cough syrup
  

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued to all districts to strengthen action under the NDPS Act.

Strengthening Prohibition Enforcement in Bihar

The rising trend in seizures, arrests, and convictions demonstrates Bihar’s increasingly strict enforcement of prohibition laws. With coordinated interstate operations, improved intelligence, and stronger legal action, the state is making significant progress in curbing illegal liquor trade and narcotics smuggling.

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