Bhubaneswar, Feb. 2 -- Police busted an illegal country liquor operation being run inside dense forest areas under the Khuntuni police station limits of Athagarh in Cuttack district on Monday. Acting on specific information, police conducted surprise raids across several forest pockets to curb the unlawful activity.

The operation was carried out in the Dalua, Kansar, Baunsatangor, Sadak Sahi, Padapathar, Patiasahi, Luni Padia, and Khanduali reserved forest areas. Officials said the raids were part of ongoing efforts to tackle the widespread problem of the illicit liquor trade in different parts of the state.

During the operation, police destroyed nearly 1,800 litres of fermented liquor and seized 40 litres of country-made liquor. Accord...