LUCKNOW, July 24 -- The bootleggers from Rajasthan had certainly shown ingenuity in hiding the contraband they were carrying, but the police and excise department of Uttar Pradesh were ready for them at Uttaretiya, in the outskirts of the state capital.

Late on Wednesday night, the team seized 7,776 tetra packs of illegal liquor worth nearly Rs.18 lakh.

The consignment was coming from Rajasthan and bound for dry and poll-bound Bihar, so said the two men arrested for transporting the liquor.

Tipped off, the team had laid in wait and intercepted a pick-up vehicle, near Uttaretiya underpass on Kisan Path. The vehicle was properly covered in thick, black plastic, which when uncovered revealed stacked empty vegetable crates.

Behind a coupl...