Obtain prior permission for serving liquor: Telangana Excise Commissioner Harikiran to New Year parties' organisers

Hyderabad: Telangana Prohibition and Excise Commissioner C Harikiran today asked organizers of New Year parties to obtain prior permission for serving liquor.

He warned that those flouting norms will be booked

Announcing intensified enforcement ahead of New Year celebrations, the Commissioner said the department has launched a crackdown on illegal liquor and drug parties across the state.

Six-day special enforcement drive

To curb illegal liquor sales and drug abuse during the festive season, the Excise Department will conduct special checks and raids from December 27, 2025, to January 1, 2026.

Prohibition and Enforcement teams, District Task Forces (DTFs), and excise station staff will carry out both joint and independent operations statewide.

Crackdown on NDPL Liquor and Narcotics

The special drive will primarily focus on the supply, sale, and consumption of non-duty-paid liquor (NDPL), along with drugs and ganja. Officials have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock vigilance at party venues, vulnerable locations, and transit points.

Tight surveillance on smuggling routes

Special surveillance has been ordered on all known routes used for smuggling NDPL liquor into Telangana. These include railway routes from Haryana and Delhi via Asifabad, Mancherial, Ramagundam, Kazipet, and Bhongir, and trains from Goa passing through Gadwal, Mahabubnagar, and Vikarabad.

Officials have also detected NDPL movement through air travel, prompting intensified checks at airports.

Massive deployment across the State

The enforcement operation involves four State-level STF teams, district enforcement units, 34 DTF teams, and personnel from 151 excise stations. Coordinated raids are being carried out in both urban and rural areas.

NDPL liquor, drugs already seized

The Commissioner said ongoing operations have already resulted in the seizure of large quantities of NDPL liquor, drugs such as OG Kush and MDMA, ganja, and illicit jaggery used for brewing illegal liquor.

Bengaluru–Hyderabad Drug Racket Busted; Multiple Seizures in Hyderabad

Acting on intelligence inputs, enforcement teams carried out coordinated checks across the city, busting drug trafficking and illegal liquor movement.

Airport cab interception: STF seized 5.39 g of MDMA, 6 non-duty-paid liquor bottles, and 3 mobile phones from Sai Charan in a cab arriving from Shamshabad Airport. The accused was handed over to Shamshabad Excise.

Nanakramguda raid: DTF seized 1.3 kg ganja and arrested Dilip Koche (Assam); case handed to Serilingampally Excise.

Liquor crackdown: Enforcement teams confiscated 64 non-duty-paid liquor bottles during vehicle checks across multiple areas.

Odisha ganja haul: STF seized 6.3 kg ganja near Saroornagar and arrested three Odisha natives; the accused were handed over to Saroornagar Excise.

Enforcement to continue through the festive season

The Excise Commissioner said the coordinated operations reflect intensified vigilance ahead of New Year celebrations, with strict action against drug trafficking and illegal liquor movement continuing across Telangana.

Public advised to celebrate responsibly

Warning that consumption of NDPL liquor and drugs is a punishable offence and poses serious health risks, the Commissioner appealed to the public to celebrate the New Year in a safe, lawful, and responsible manner.