TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: With the Election Code of Conduct in force, the Canacona Excise sleuths have seized liquor worth over Rs 87,000 by stepping up surveillance along the Konkan Railway, the border check post and the coastline to prevent the inflow of liquor into South India.
According to reports, two Canacona Excise Flying Squads conducted 101 raids and registered as many as 13 cases against the perpetrators till March 31.
The liquor contraband mostly consisting of different brands of IMFL, beer and country liquor was confiscated while being smuggled to poll-bound states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala using Konkan Railway (KR) trains, sea route from Polem or through the border (thick jungles route) at Cotigao.
Since the election code came into force on March 5, 101 raids were conducted at Canacona KRC station, Nagarcem, Polem check post, jungle areas (bordering with Karnataka) and Polem beach.
In all, 13 cases are booked against perpetrators, out of which six are booked for illegal transportation of liquor, two for illegal sale of liquor, four for abandoned goods and one case for non-maintenance of accounts (sale & stock) upto March 31.
Canacona Excise Inspector Chandranath Dessai informed that two flying squads of Excise department are in the taluka to keep a strict round the clock surveillance on illegal liquor transportation activities. Another excise inspector Durgadas Naik is leading the second flying squad.
“Besides the raids, day-to-day sale and stock statements are obtained from the units/outlets concerned in the taluka to keep a track on any suspicious activities using liquor to influence voters,” said a source.
A source from excise said most of the seized contraband liquor has been confiscated from Canacona KRC station, while the perpetrators attempt to load the liquor in trains proceeding towards Karnataka or Kerala.
Besides, 21 staff deputed at the Pollem check post is also keeping a tab in the jungle area of Goa’s border with Karwar.
