Police Authorities destroyed around 150 litres of illicit liquor mash during a search operation in the Shyamkund jungle area on March 16 as part of an ongoing drive to curb illegal liquor production in the North and Middle Andaman district.
The operation was carried out in a forested area under the Bakultala outpost following information about the presence of materials used for brewing illicit liquor. A police team conducted a jungle search in the area and located containers of lehan, the fermented mixture commonly used for distilling illegal alcohol.
During the search, the team recovered approximately 150 litres of the illicit mash concealed within the dense vegetation of the Shyamkund jungle. Equipment and materials used for distillation were also found at the site.
Officials said the recovered lehan and the bhatti materials used for brewing were destroyed on the spot following established procedures. The action was taken to prevent the mash from being used to produce illicit liquor and to dismantle the makeshift distillation setup operating in the forest area.
The jungle search formed part of a wider campaign across the district aimed at detecting and dismantling illegal liquor production units. Authorities said such operations are conducted periodically in forest and remote areas where illicit distillation activities are often carried out to avoid detection.
Illicit liquor production remains a recurring concern in several parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly in areas surrounded by forest cover where clandestine brewing operations are sometimes established. Such activities pose risks to public health as illegally produced alcohol can contain harmful substances and is often manufactured without regulatory oversight.
Officials said enforcement teams continue to conduct targeted inspections and search operations in suspected locations to identify brewing setups and disrupt illegal supply chains. The destruction of the mash in the Shyamkund jungle prevented its potential conversion into illicit alcohol that could have entered the local market.
Authorities have reiterated that enforcement drives against illegal liquor manufacturing and distribution will continue across the district. Such operations are aimed at maintaining public safety and reducing the circulation of unregulated alcohol.
Community members are often encouraged to remain alert to suspicious activities in remote or forested areas and to share credible information that may assist in preventing unlawful brewing operations. Officials note that community participation can play an important role in identifying illegal setups before production begins.
The search operation in the Shyamkund jungle adds to a series of actions undertaken in recent months to address illicit liquor manufacturing in the region. Enforcement agencies have been intensifying surveillance in vulnerable locations where illegal distillation units may be set up.
Authorities said that continued monitoring and search operations will remain a priority in order to curb the production and circulation of illicit liquor across the district.
