PRAYAGRAJ, July 24 -- The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested an alleged member of a Punjab-based interstate liquor smuggling syndicate, carrying a reward of Rs.50,000, who had been absconding in connection with a 2023 case registered in Prayagraj, officials said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Manveer Singh alias Mannu, a resident of Haryana's Hisar district, was arrested from Zirakpur in Punjab's Mohali district on Wednesday evening following intelligence-based surveillance by the STF's Prayagraj unit. Officials said a mobile phone and Rs.1,010 in cash were recovered from his possession. According to the STF, Manveer was wanted in a case registered at Nawabganj police station in Prayagraj under sections related to cheating and forgery, along with provisions of the Excise Act. He had been absconding for nearly three years and was later declared a Rs.50,000 reward-carrying accused. During interrogation, Manveer allegedly confessed to being part of an organised interstate liquor smuggling network with associates based in Punjab. The syndicate allegedly smuggled illicit liquor from Punjab to UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and other states by hiding consignments beneath loads of eggs, poultry feed, plastic scrap and potatoes to avoid detection, STF Deputy SP Shailesh Pratap Singh said....