LUCKNOW, June 10 -- The UP excise department collected a revenue of Rs 5,451.22 crore (111.25%) in May this year, exceeding the target of Rs 4,900 crore, whereas in May 2024, the department earned Rs 4,593.44 crore against the same target, according to data shared by minister of state (independent charge) for excise and prohibition, Nitin Agarwal. The department registered 19,800 cases of illegal liquor production, sale and smuggling till May in 2025-26 while officers recovered 5.47 lakh litres of illicit liquor, the minister informed. As many as 3,681 people involved in illegal liquor business were arrested, 716 sent to jail and 27 vehicles involved in illegal liquor smuggling seized. The estimated market value of the recovered liquor was Rs 18.53 crore, as per data. The minister also shared that in the last financial year 2024-25, till May, 2024, 18,026 cases of illegal liquor manufacture, sale and smuggling were registered in the state and 5.03 lakh litres of illegal liquor was recovered. While 4,330 people involved in illegal liquor trade were arrested, 1,466 were sent to jail and 37 vehicles involved in smuggling of illegal liquor seized. The estimated market value of the recovered liquor was Rs 13.48 crore....