PANJIM: The Crime Branch (CB) sleuths seized spurious liquor worth nearly Rs 29.49 lakh after chasing the liquor-laden Maharashtra registered truck all through the night on December 20.
Acting on reliable information, the CB team visited Honda (Sattari) in search of a container truck bearing registration number MH-14-V- 5919 which was suspected to be carrying liquor.
The team screened a few trucks during the intervening night of Dec 20-21 and found the same truck parked at a local ground in Honda, clearly indicating that accused driver abandoned the vehicle and fled from the spot.
On conducting a search, the team found 425 bottles (48 bottles in each box) of Officers Choice (Reserve Whisky) and 78 bottles (48 bottles in each box) of Honey Grade Brandy; valued at Rs 29.49 lakh approx.
Information shared by the CB reveals that one Asha Desai, a resident of Pune has been identified as the owner of the vehicle. The vehicle is seized and liquor, suspected to be spurious has been handed over to the Excise Department for further investigation.
“Neither the driver nor the owner of the vehicle revealed his identity for claiming the said vehicle or the goods/liquor loaded,” it said adding that inquiry is underway to identify the accused and the organised trade involved in illegal storage and transportation of the duplicate liquor.
It is learnt that the brand of the seized liquor bottles does not exist in Goa while one unit is illegally producing the product.
