Hyderabad, Oct. 11 -- The Andhra Pradesh prohibition and excise department authorities on Friday evening detained Addepalli Janardhan Rao, the prime accused in a large-scale fake liquor racket that first surfaced in Mulakalacheruvu of Annamayya district last week, an official familiar with the development said.

Janardhan Rao, who had been absconding for the last two weeks and was believed to be in South Africa, returned to Vijayawada on Friday evening. As soon as he landed at Gannavaram airport, the excise authorities took him into custody, the official said, adding he would be produced before the court on Saturday following a due procedure.

On Thursday, the department suspended its senior circle inspector Himabindu Reddy, who was headi...