Patna: The liquor mafia is increasingly using students to act as couriers, police sources said following interrogation of six youths arrested for ferrying alcohol.

The students, in the age group of 20 and 25 years, are mainly engaged in bootlegging to earn a quick buck. "The arrested students said they need the money to prepare for various competitive examinations in Patna," said a police official privy to the interrogation.

The students, the sources said, are of use to the mafia as they don't raise suspicion with the backpacks on their backs. "Their main job is to deliver the consignment to those buying liquor," said the police official.

The arrest of the six students from SK Puri police station area on Thursday revealed that the bootleggers have developed a strong network in Patna and its neighbouring areas.

City superintendent of police (central) D. Amarkesh said that for the first time, branded costly Indian made foreign liquor had been seized during the raid at the hideouts of bootleggers in the city.

The bootleggers, the sources said, operate at four levels. The first level stocks the consignment of liquor; the second prepares the list of clients. The third level is assigned to supply the consignment. The main job of the fourth level is to book the consignment from outside the state and ensure it reaches smoothly.

Amarkesh said the police were working hard to rein in the main suppliers. "We know it is a tough task but we will do it with full sincerity," he told The Telegraph.

Royal Stag whisky is in great demand because of its low price, of around Rs 1,500 per bottle. While a bottle of Black Dog is sold for Rs 2,500, that of Blenders Pride fetches anything between Rs 2,200 and Rs 2,500 on the black market. At times, the prices of the two brands go up owing to shortage of supply, a police officer said.

"A student engaged in bootlegging earns between Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,000 per day," said an officer who was part of the raiding team.