In a sweeping operation targeting illicit liquor production, authorities from the Prohibition and Excise department have dismantled a sophisticated fake liquor manufacturing network in Mulakalacheruvu, Annamayya district. The raid resulted in the seizure of counterfeit liquor and related materials valued at an astounding ₹1.75 crore.
This major bust, coming amidst the bustling Dussehra festivities, immediately caught the attention of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He promptly convened a review meeting, directing officials to show ‘zero tolerance’ towards illicit liquor and ensure decisive action against all perpetrators. The incident quickly escalated into a political controversy, particularly after several prominent Telugu Desam Party members in the district were suspended due to their alleged connections to the illegal operation.
The illicit scheme was reportedly orchestrated by Addepalli Janardhan Rao, a Vijayawada-based bar license holder. Operating from a rented facility in Mulakalacheruvu, Rao and his accomplice, Raju, allegedly employed workers from Tamil Nadu and Odisha to produce fake liquor, which was then branded to mimic popular genuine labels. These illicit products were distributed to various liquor establishments across the Tamballapalle constituency, including those in Pedda Tippa Samudram and Mulakalacheruvu mandals, all of which have since been sealed by officials.
The elaborate racket unraveled when Excise Enforcement teams, during routine checks in the PTM mandal, stopped a suspicious vehicle. A quick scan of the liquor bottles’ barcodes revealed glaring inconsistencies, triggering a series of intensive raids throughout the district. These operations culminated in the discovery and seizure of a complete illegal distillery unit in Kadirinathunikota village.
Conducted between October 1st and 5th, the extensive operation yielded a substantial haul: over 15,000 bottles of fake liquor, 1,050 litres of raw spirit, 1,500 litres of blended illicit stock, 10,000 empty bottles, along with caps, stickers, labeling machinery, and a vehicle used for transportation.
To date, fourteen individuals have been identified in connection with the racket, with ten already taken into custody. The arrested include key operators from Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, with Addepalli Janardhan Rao reportedly traveling abroad, a dedicated special team has been dispatched to locate and extradite him to Vijayawada.
Following a late Sunday night review with key officials, including Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, Principal Secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena, Enforcement Director Rahul Dev Sharma, and Excise Commissioner Sridhar, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu emphatically declared ‘zero tolerance’ for spurious liquor across the state. He issued strict orders to intensify raids, bolster border surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering, and establish better coordination with neighboring states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Telangana to completely sever the supply routes of dangerous industrial spirits and illegal packaging materials.
Adding to the political fallout, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) announced on Monday, October 6th, the suspension of Jayachandra Reddy, the party’s Thamballapalle Assembly constituency in-charge, and local leader Katta Surendra Naidu. This action followed allegations of their involvement in the liquor racket. TDP State president Palla Srinivasa Rao confirmed that disciplinary measures would be taken in line with the Chief Minister’s directives.
High-ranking officials from the Excise and Prohibition department, operating out of the Vijayawada and Kadapa circles, have established a presence in the Rayachoti, Madanapalle, and Rajampeta sub-divisions of Annamayya district. Their objective is to plan and execute further raids and arrests. A senior official hailed the ongoing effort as a significant success against a highly organized inter-state criminal syndicate.