Rs 96 Cr, 14 Lakh Litres of Liquor Seized from 5 Poll-Bound States

More than 4,700 kg of narcotics valued at Rs 19.83 crore have also been seized by EC-appointed teams.

As the elections come closer, country liquor companies have increased production. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/UPpolice)

Over Rs 96 crore in cash, 14.27 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 25.22 crore and more than 4,700 kg narcotics valued at Rs 19.83 crore have been seized by EC-appointed monitoring teams in the five poll-bound states.

As per official data compiled since the announcement of polls early this month till Saturday, UP has witnessed the maximum seizure of cash at Rs 87.67 crore, followed by Rs 6.60 crore from Punjab, Rs 1.27 crore in Goa, Rs 47.06 lakh in Uttarakhand and Rs 8.13 lakh in Manipur.

The largest drug seizures by anti-narcotics agencies and police teams were made in Punjab. The state accounted for 2,632 kg of drugs worth Rs 12.30 crore seized out of a total haul of 4,774 kg worth Rs 19.83 crore.

The total volume of drug seizures has doubled in a span of 10 days, the data revealed, adding the varieties include heroin, poppy husk, marijuana and smack.

The EC has appointed about 200 election expenditure observers apart from other central observers to keep a check on black money and illegal inducements used to bribe voters at the hustings in these states.

The Assembly elections in these five states will be held between 4 February and 8 March. Counting of votes for all states will take place on 11 March.

(With inputs from PTI)