According to the charge sheet, a total of 25 accused have been named in the case, including liquor traders, spirit suppliers, label printers, and transport operators allegedly involved in sustaining the illegal trade network. Investigators have also referred to alleged links with political figures and local liquor syndicates as part of the wider conspiracy under examination.
At the center of the operation are Addepalli Janardhana Rao and his brother Addepalli Jagan Mohan Rao, residents of Ibrahimpatnam in NTR district, identified by investigators as the principal accused. The charge sheet states that the brothers operated clandestine liquor manufacturing units in Ibrahimpatnam and later expanded their activities to Mulakalacheruvu in Annamaiah district.
Officials allege that the accused produced spurious liquor using rectified spirit mixed with chemical additives and colouring agents, while counterfeit labels of popular liquor brands were used to disguise the products as legitimate. The illicit liquor was then distributed through selected bars and wine shops in Andhra Pradesh.
A significant portion of the investigation also focuses on former Andhra Pradesh minister and ex-YSR Congress Party MLA Jogi Ramesh and his brother Jogi Ramu. Excise officials allege that both individuals provided political backing and protection to the illegal liquor operations and maintained close contact with the main accused. The charge sheet further claims their involvement in coordinating liquor syndicates operating in Ibrahimpatnam.
Investigators have detailed a structured supply chain allegedly created by the syndicate, involving procurement of spirit, fake labels, bottle caps, polyethylene terephthalate bottles, and packaging materials from multiple states through an organized network of suppliers and transport operators. The report also states that fake hologram labels and duplicate bottle caps were used to create counterfeit products resembling genuine liquor brands.
Authorities further allege that fake goods and materials were transported between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh using falsified Goods and Services Tax invoices and parcel transport services, enabling the syndicate to evade detection by enforcement agencies.
On October 3, 2025, excise officials conducted a raid on the Mulakalacheruvu unit, seizing large quantities of suspected spurious liquor, spirit, blending chemicals, bottling machinery, and packaging materials. A subsequent raid at a warehouse in Ibrahimpatnam reportedly led to the recovery of more than 4,500 litres of liquor blend along with counterfeit stock, thousands of fake labels, empty bottles, and bottling equipment.
The case has triggered significant political controversy in Andhra Pradesh. While the ruling Telugu Desam Party alliance has accused leaders of the YSR Congress Party of shielding liquor mafia activities, the YSR Congress Party has countered by alleging that the investigation is politically motivated.
The charge sheet marks a major escalation in the investigation, exposing an alleged multi-state criminal enterprise with deep logistical coordination, extensive supply networks, and reported political linkages, now set to face judicial scrutiny in Vijayawada.
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