In a significant move driven by technical reasons in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh, a bulldozer was deployed to annihilate an estimated Rs.8 crore (USD 960,064) worth of alcohol, including a substantial Bacardi stock.

The incident took place in Ghaziabad district on December 26.

Visuals showed approximately 7,000 bottles of alcohol lying scattered on the ground, poised for destruction, as they couldn't find their way into the market for sale. The impending action was driven by the realization that these bottles were deemed unsuitable for retail due to regulatory constraints, prompting authorities to initiate their disposal.

The excise department in Ghaziabad once again destroyed approximately 8 crore (USD 960,064) worth of alcohol bottles, including Bacardi stock, for technical reasons.

In a significant operation directed by the authorities in Prayagraj, a joint committee comprising the Deputy Excise Commissioner, Meerut Incharge, Meerut, District Excise Officer, Ghaziabad, and Sub Collector, Sadar, Ghaziabad, launched a crackdown on illegal liquor and beer distribution. The operation took place at Bacardi India Pvt. Ltd., Kashipur BW FL-2D, where a variety of alcoholic beverages were seized.

The seized items included 103,514 bottles of various strengths of Breezer Caneberry, Breezer Jamaican Passion, Breezer Lemonade, Bacardi Orange, Breezer Black Berry, Breezer Lemon Splash, Breezer Orange, Bacardi Lemonade, Breezer BlueBerry, Bacardi Lemon Fizz, Bacardi Orange Fizz, and Breezer Punch Citrus. Additionally, 39 bottles of 375 ml capacity of Monaco's Bacardi Black Platinum Rum were confiscated at BWFL-2A.

Further raids were conducted at M/s Bacardi India Pvt. Ltd. Mysore, BW FL-2A, resulting in the seizure of 19,585 bottles of different strengths of Bacardi Orange Rum, Bacardi Limon Rum, Eristoff Red Vodka, Eristoff Green Vodka, Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum, William Lassen Scotch. In Kashipur, M/s Bacardi India Pvt. Ltd. faced the confiscation of 32,192 bottles of different strengths of Eristoff Vodka, Bacardi Carta, Bacardi Black, Bacardi Lemon, and Bacardi Apple at BW FL-2A. Simultaneous operations were conducted at M/s Bacardi India Pvt. Ltd. Mansoorpur and M/s Bacardi India Pvt. Ltd. Nashik.

An additional 5,323 bottles of different strengths of Legacy Premium Blended Whiskey were seized at M/s S.N.J. Breweries Pvt. Ltd. BW FL-2B. Unfortunately, 74,472 cans of non-scannable beers suffered a mishap during transportation and crashed. Among them, 72 cans of Proust Platinum Beer were destroyed at M/s Greno 69 Breweries Pvt. Ltd. BW FL-2B after proper videography and settlement of the associated excise duties.

The estimated market value of the confiscated foreign liquor and beer is approximately ₹8 crore. The entire destruction process was closely monitored by excise inspectors from Ghaziabad district and Enforcement Meerut.

This operation underscores the commitment of the authorities to curb illegal activities in the alcohol distribution network and maintain public safety. Further investigations are underway to identify the source and network behind this large-scale illicit trade in alcoholic beverages.