Ludhiana, April 3 -- In a major crackdown on liquor smuggling, the excise department seized nearly 1,300 cartons of illicit liquor in Khanna. The consignment, being transported without valid permits, was intercepted by authorities, who also confiscated the vehicle carrying the stock.

The haul included 1,262 cartons of liquor, 300 loose bottles, and 30 cartons of beer. Each bottle bore track and trace barcodes and holograms, confirming its sale was restricted to Punjab.

An FIR has been registered against Manohar Lal, a resident Una in Himachal Pradesh, who stored the illicit liquor in Khanna. He is absconding, the authorities said.

Assistant commissioner excise, Shivani Gupta, said that the seizure was part of an intensified effort to c...