PATNA, Nov. 11 -- Ahead of Assembly elections, Bihar police had launched an intensive anti-narcotics drive apart from strict enforcement of prohibition . As the campaigning came to a close Sunday evening, the challenge proved to be real, with Rs.48.79 crore worth of liquor and drugs worth Rs.26.34 crore were seized and over 3.04 lakh litre liquors and substances. Interestingly, rampant liquor smuggling in dry Bihar and growing instances of substance abuse as an alternative to liquor did not find echo in the campaigning of any mainstream party, except the Jan Suraaj Party, which termed prohibition a farce and announced to remove it within hours if its government was formed. During the campaigning, the truth of prohibition also got exposed when police arrested two individuals in connection with the seizure of 17 cartons of IMFL from a vehicle in Guraru police station area of Gaya, A local youth also made it viral on social media before the police could arrive and officially seize liquor. The vehicle had a banner of HAM candidate Deepa Manjhi, though the police later said the banner was used to conceal the consignment and no pass or permit had been issued for the vehicle. A former BJP MLA from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh and his driver were arrested with three cans of beer in Bettiah. Former MLA Dhananjay Kannaujia and his driver Dilip Singh were sent to judicial custody after arrest from Nautan police station area of Bettiah during a vehicle checking drive. A senior police officer said due to strict surveillance and huge recoveries, no hooch tragedy was reported in the state ahead of election announcement or during the campaign period, though it often rocked the state in the past. "By August 2025, 84,789 persons have been arrested, including 52,470 drinkers and 29,903 involved in liquor trade. Besides, 42,233 FIRs have been registered and 10,734 vehicles seized. The seizures included 23.57-lakh litres of liquor, with 12.38-lakh litres of IMFL worth Rs.189 crore," said ADG (Prohibition & State Narcotics Control Bureau) Amit Kumar Jain. Police said they had recovered cash of Rs.12.06 crore, liquor worth Rs.49.83 crore, drugs worth Rs.26.76 crore, precious metals/ freebies worth Rs.92 crore. At least 4.16 lakh people had been bound down under sections of BNSS, 1,444 people arrested under NSA/NDPS Act, while 838 firearms seized so far, they said. Investigation so far have revealed a large consignment of drugs, including synthetic drugs, coming to Bihar from Nepal-Burma, South Asia, Myanmar through North Eastern states. The consignment of heroin is also being brought from Manipur and Nagaland's Dimapur, while charas, ganja and brown sugar are being brought from Nepal-Burma. "As far as liquor is concerned, the porus Bihar borders make it vulnerable to smuggling from states as well as Punjab, Haryana, Bengal and also from Nepal, but strict surveillance led to huge recoveries and arrests," said another police officer. "In some cases it has been found that drivers of vehicles carrying liquor consignments don't use mobile phones, avoid national or state highways and even resort to changing drivers with locals aware of the local routes. X-ray/scanner machines have been deployed, as smugglers use innovative ways to transport liquor. In some cases, consignments are unloaded in border locations and ferried through smaller vehicles," said the ADG. Rail ADG BS Meena said, police were cautious and vigilance had been intensified in trains. "Though liquor smuggling through trains is not common, GRP/RPF/excise department have set up combined check posts for constant monitoring. Trains come into Bihar from four regions and trains with a history of smuggling have been identified for surprise checks. Routes and vulnerable trains are being closely monitored, and a control room has been established. Surprise checks in vulnerable trains are also being carried out," he added. IG (Rail) P Kanan has been made nodal officer....