Two illegal liquor export incidents at Goa’s borders -- the fire that engulfed a liquor truck near Dhargal on Tuesday and the seizure of high-end liquor at Vengurla on Wednesday, highlight a serious issue -- the weakness of border controls and the poor enforcement against illegal liquor movement.
These events, and the many in the past where huge trucks have passed through checkposts, call for a close look at systemic failures because they entail revenue loss and raise health concerns. The fire at Dhargal, which accidentally led to the finding of illegal liquor, shows that border breaches often remain undetected until a crisis occurs. Officials only confirmed the presence of mixed brands after the fire exposing yet another failure.
This again raises some key questions: How can border controls be so easily bypassed? Do officials work in collusion? How do trucks loaded with liquor, mostly illegal, get through multiple checkpoints without being properly checked? One major issue is the “free movement” of liquor across borders — both into and out of Goa indicating that the failure is systemic. Traders have seemingly developed a way to exploit border weaknesses, often getting past border points with minimal oversight. The claim that trucks transporting illegal liquor are stopped only after they cross borders reveals a problem with border security.
Is there a system for tracking shipments in real-time? While the suggestion of installing CCTVs at all exit points was a positive move, it also raises concerns about whether installing CCTVs is enough or is there a need for a complete border management system, including vehicle tracking and sharing of information. The Excise Department’s inability to effectively stop the illegal liquor movement demonstrates an inherent failure.
Frequent seizures and arrests show that enforcement often reacts only after illegal activities are discovered instead of preventing them. Why isn’t there ongoing monitoring or intelligence-led operations? The department must locate the source of the illegal liquor, whether it’s illegal distilleries, rebottling units, or underground distributors, and ensure that it remains shut.
In the absence of strict compliance and follow-up, traders very often make a back door entry to even sealed distilleries. The recent busts highlight a broader issue — an organized network that engages sophistication. While it’s necessary to stop trucks at the borders, this alone isn’t enough without strong intelligence and tracking of supply chains back to illegal production sites.
Authorities need to go beyond simply seizing shipments and work on dismantling the entire illegal supply chain, including the distilleries and rebottling operations that operate in secret. Additionally, stricter punishments are needed. Closing illegal production units, imposing heavy fines, and pursuing criminal charges against those involved should be standard protocols. These steps can act as deterrents and show the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.
Another surprising element is these illegal shipments keep raising serious questions about enforcement priorities. Why have authorities taken so long to recognize and deal with these border breaches? Is there a lack of political will or coordination among agencies?
The government must implement a proactive, intelligence-led approach that includes strengthening border controls, comprehensive surveillance, shutting down illegal distilleries, and targeting the entire illegal supply chain. Only then can Goa effectively protect its revenue, uphold the law, and keep citizens safe from the threats of uncontrolled liquor smuggling.
