TEAM HERALD
BELGAUM: In one of its major raids on illicit liquor trade between Belgaum and Goa, the Karnataka excise officials arrested a tempo driver and seized spirit worth Rs 1.72 lakh near Surla border in Mang-Belgaum.
The excise officials seized 15 barrels of spirit that was being transported in a tempo.
Officials, who have been suspecting a major nexus, have now confirmed their suspicions as the spirit was being transported with fake documents from Goa.
According to the excise authorities, acting on a tip-off, officials laid a trap near Surla to seize the spirit that was on its way to Belgaum.
A tempo (KA-22-1279) was intercepted near Surla border near Mang village and 15 barrels with 50 litres of spirit filled in each barrel were found in a concealed state.
The tempo carrying the spirit was also seized along with the spirit barrels. Tempo driver Ramesh Krishna Patil of Vadgaon-Belgaum has been taken into custody.
Excise Inspector Veeresh Dodmani and team belonging to the Karnataka Excise and Lottery Preventive cell carried out the raids.
Meanwhile, excise officials have tightened the inspection of vehicles at the check post near Kankumbi anticipating rise in illicit liquor transporting activities, as the holiday and wedding season in Karnataka is approaching.
