Patna, August 13, 2025: In a major crackdown shaking an alleged interstate liquor smuggling ring, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched coordinated raids across four states on Wednesday. This move is part of a money laundering probe linked to Bihar’s illegal liquor trade. The searches, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), targeted people and businesses connected to Sunil Bhardwaj, who the agency calls the “main kingpin” of the case.
Raids Carried Out in Early Morning Across States
Starting at 5:30 am, the operation covered seven spots: Muzaffarpur in Bihar, Gurugram in Haryana, Naharlagun and Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh (sometimes mistakenly reported as Andhra Pradesh), and Ranchi in Jharkhand. Senior ED officials said the raids uncovered important documents and electronic evidence tied to illegal liquor smuggling and money laundering.
Exposing the Liquor and Money Laundering Link
Investigators say Sunil Bhardwaj and his associates ran a large network smuggling liquor into Bihar from states like Jharkhand and Haryana, breaking Bihar’s total liquor ban in place since 2016. Officials claim the profits were moved through complex laundering methods to hide their illegal source.
Earlier, the ED had already seized assets worth ₹9.31 crore linked to Bhardwaj and his group. The latest raids came after new intelligence and fresh evidence surfaced.
The Bigger Picture
ED sources say Bhardwaj’s operation included organized smuggling routes, storage centers, and laundering networks to cover up illegal earnings. Despite Bihar’s ban on liquor, officials say these syndicates keep running with interstate connections, making enforcement difficult.
These raids are part of a wider effort to break these networks, trace the money, and bring the culprits to justice. The ED has not ruled out arrests soon, with several suspects expected to be called for questioning.
What’s Next?
The investigation is ongoing, with more leads being followed. ED officials say the case is far from over and suggest more nationwide actions are likely to tackle the liquor and money laundering network.
