Mohali, Sept. 10 -- In a major crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturing, the Punjab excise department in coordination with Mohali police unearthed an illegal distillation unit in Behra village, Dera Bassi, and seized 200 litres of lahan (fermented wash, which is distilled to get illicit liquor) stored in drums, buckets, and bottles.

The raid was conducted in the intervening night of September 8 and 9 as part of the ongoing enforcement drive ordered by excise commissioner Jatinder Jorewal.

Excise police headed by ASI Harjinder Singh and local Dera Bassi police led by SI Pavirtar Singh, combed nearly three kilometres of agricultural fields before locating the unit.

Items seized during the raid included one working still, gas burner, 200...