The Patiala excise department has successfully cracked down on three separate illicit liquor rackets, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of hundreds of counterfeit and spurious liquor bottles. The operations, conducted since April 1, were intelligence-led and resulted in three FIRs being registered. In the latest operation, two men were caught in Lehal Colony refilling premium Scotch whisky bottles with a cheaper brand and sealing them with counterfeit caps. Earlier, another operation in Mohalla Laturpura led to the arrest of Raj Kumar Sethi, with officials confiscating 150 bottles of various types of liquor, including counterfeit brands. Additionally, a vehicle in Kullemajra was intercepted, revealing a consignment of counterfeit liquor bearing identical hologram numbers. Jitendra Jorwal, the excise commissioner of Punjab, emphasized the department's strict stance against excise violations and encouraged citizens to report illegal liquor activities to authorities.