NGTV NEWS | NEWS DESK
Minors Allegedly Used as Carriers in Illicit Liquor Trade, Ghatal Raises Alarm
GHATAL | AUGUST 28, 2026
As police and excise authorities intensify their crackdown on the illicit liquor trade, allegations have emerged that smugglers are changing tactics by using minors as carriers to evade detection. In Ghatal’s Mansuka-I Gram Panchayat area, the alleged involvement of teenagers has triggered concern among residents, parents and school authorities.
The issue came to light on Tuesday in the Ghorighat area, where local residents reportedly noticed three minors travelling towards the Jhumi River on bicycles carrying bags. When questioned, the teenagers allegedly abandoned the bicycles and bags and fled. Excise officials were subsequently informed.
Officials who reached the spot reportedly recovered pouches of illicit liquor from the bags. According to the Excise Department, around 500 litres of illicit liquor were destroyed, while three bicycles allegedly used in the transportation were seized.
Local residents claim that the route has previously been used for transporting illicit liquor. According to their allegations, large bags containing liquor pouches are attached to bicycles, which are then taken through relatively isolated village roads towards the Jhumi River. The consignments are allegedly transported across the river by boat towards Kulot and Mayal in neighbouring Hooghly district.
Residents further allege that several neighbourhoods in Dirghagram have remained associated with illicit liquor production. They claim the liquor is packed into pouches and transported through rural and river routes, making detection more difficult.
An individual allegedly associated with the trade claimed that orders are received over the phone and payments are made digitally, after which consignments are routed through local intermediaries. The person further alleged that increased enforcement has encouraged smugglers to recruit minors from financially vulnerable families, offering them money for carrying consignments.
The allegations have raised serious concerns about child exploitation and the potential involvement of school-going teenagers in illegal activities. The acting headmaster of Mansuka Lakshminarayan High School, Tapas Mukhopadhyay, described the reported involvement of minors as deeply concerning and called for strict action against those recruiting children.
The Ghatal Circle Excise Department said enforcement and awareness drives are continuing. Officials stated that more than 20 raids were conducted in the Mansuka area over the past two months, resulting in the destruction of approximately 1,000 litres of illicit liquor and manufacturing equipment. Three people were arrested, while seven bicycles and one motorcycle were seized.
Ghatal Excise Circle OC Subhash Haldar said authorities are aware of allegations involving minors and that necessary measures are being taken.
The incident has highlighted not only the challenge of curbing illicit liquor but also the urgent need to prevent vulnerable minors from being drawn into organised illegal networks.
