Bhubaneswar: Sale of foreign liquor from unauthorised shops and persons in the twin cities have gone up, according to official statistics.

While the police seized 1,382 litres of foreign liquor in 2016, the seizure amount went up to 2,082 litres by October 2017.

Official statistics suggest that the cops seized as many as 3,780 bottles of foreign liquor by October last year worth more than Rs 20 lakh in the open market. Similarly, the police, during this period, also seized 3,672 litres of illicitly distilled liquor in the twin cities. During this period, the cops registered 867 cases and arrested 900 persons against 825 persons in 2016.

"Sale of liquors by unauthorised shops such as roadside dhabas has become a profitable business as one bottle of foreign liquor is sold at Rs 50 higher than the original price. A number of women have also ventured into the business for huge profit," said a police officer on the condition of anonymity.

During this period, the cops raided three such illegal units in Bhubaneswar that had stocked up more foreign liquor than licensed shops. In October, the police had raided one such unit at Palasuni and seized foreign liquor worth more than Rs 2 lakh.

"These units sell liquor till midnight and attract a number of youths as a result. The customers are even forced to cough up Rs 100 more than the original price. Besides, some of the roadside dhabas also serve food along with liquor despite having no license for alcohol," said another police officer. Foreign liquor shops in the twin cities close at 10.30pm, allowing these illegal units to make a handsome profit.

City residents have also raised the matter of liquor sale late in the night in various localities in the twin cities during police-public interfaces in the recent past.

"Most often, the youths create nuisance after getting drunk late in the night. The police should intensify their drive," said Ajit Nayak, a resident of Bomikhal.

Bhubaneswar deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said their drive would continue. "Apart from police stations, we have asked the special squad and the quick action team of police to trace shops and people selling liquor illegally," he said.