Vijayawada: In a major crackdown on the illegal liquor trade, excise officials on Monday seized a large quantity of counterfeit liquor from a warehouse in Ibrahimpatnam, NTR district. The facility is reportedly linked to Addepalli Janardhan Rao, the prime accused in a similar fake liquor racket uncovered in Mulakalacheruvu, Annamayya district earlier this month.During the raids, officials confiscated fake liquor bottles and machinery used for labelling and sealing, indicating a well-organised operation. A bar owned by Rao near Ibrahimpatnam Ring Centre was also sealed.Preliminary investigations revealed that Rao and his associates manufactured spurious liquor using spirit, blend, and caramel at Mulakalacheruvu and supplied it across the state. Part of the stock was stored in the Ibrahimpatnam warehouse.Excise officials suspect more concealed units may be active under the same network. Follow-up searches are underway across NTR and Annamayya districts. Rao is currently absconding, with officials suspecting he is in Africa.Authorities have also identified the involvement of Dasaripalli Jayachandra Reddy, a TDP leader from Annamayya. Both Rao and Reddy are suspected of coordinating the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit liquor.The Ibrahimpatnam seizure is linked to the Mulakalacheruvu case, which led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of fake liquor and machinery worth ₹1.75 crore. Following the incident, TDP suspended Jayachandra Reddy and Katta Surendra Naidu. CM N Chandrababu Naidu ordered a transparent probe and strict action.Excise enforcement has since intensified statewide, uncovering additional facilities.
