Patna, Dec. 4: Police carried out searches in different hotels and private hostels in the city last night following a fresh directive issued by the inspector (Patna zone) to enforce prohibition laws strictly.

Police said raids were conducted in the hotels and private hostels located in the areas falling under Kotwali, Jakkanpur, Pirbahore and Gandhi Maidan police stations, two days after zonal inspector-general (IG) N.H. Khan reprimanded senior police officials for their laxity.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj said the night-long operation was aimed at curbing bootlegging, if any, in the city. Three sub-divisional police officers and an additional superintendent of police were engaged in the drive.

Zonal IG Khan had warned of disciplinary action against senior police officials, who were found to be lax in enforcing prohibition in areas under their jurisdiction. Earlier, only station house officers were held accountable for laxity and invited action accordingly. The SSP, however, said a sex racket was unearthed at Chandmari Road under the jurisdiction of Kankerbagh police station during the drive. Four youths and four girls were detained at Kankerbagh police station for interrogation. The sex racket was operating from a rented accommodation. The building was hired on rent by a woman around three months ago. The customers were contacted by the kingpin of the racket on mobile phones.

Though no objectionable goods or documents were seized during the raid on hotels, the SSP said such surprise checks will continue. "The members of the raiding teams also verified the identity proofs furnished by the dwellers," Maharaaj said.