PANJIM: The Crime branch of Goa Police seized 72,000 bottles of liquor worth Rs 36 lakh concealed below compost material in a truck.
According to the police, a Crime Branch team consisting of PSI Girish Padloskar, Head Constable Ashok Gawade, constables Mahableshwar Sawant, Sanjay Gaonkar, Kalpesh Toraskar, Rupesh Gaikwad and constable driver Sudesh Matkar conducted the seizure at Chorla Ghat.
During the seizure it was revealed that Bhimgovinda Ashok Patil and Prakash Karagiri, both native of Sangali, Maharashtra, and Babajam from Colaco wado, Salcete, were transporting 72,000 liquor bottles concealed below the compost material in the Maharashtra-registered truck, without having valid permit.
During the enquiry, it was revealed that the liquor bottles were procured from a godown situated at Arlem junction on Margao-Bellary Road. The vehicle along with the seized liquor bottles, drivers and one occupant were sent to Excise Station, Sattari, for further formalities, the police said. Further investigation is underway, police added.
Meanwhile, the Ponda Police team led by PI Tushar Lotlikar seized 275 litres of liquor worth Rs 20,000 in cartons loaded in car plying from Shantinagar to Bethora. Ponda PI Tushar Lotlikar said the seized liquor was handed over to Excise department for further action.
He said the liquor was illegally transported without documents today morning.
