BELAGAVI
Despite heavy restrictions, bootleggers from across the border seem to be having their way in smuggling illicit liquor bottles after Goa liquor worth Rs 1 lakh was seized near Belagavi.
Acting on a tip off, excise officials under the Gokak range of the Belagavi excise department confiscated the Goa liquor, detailed a vehicle and arrested four persons in the connection.
“Under the guidance of our senior officials, we conducted the raid at 12.45 am on Tuesday at Sangankeri cross of Mudalgi Taluk. We seized nine boxes (76.62 ltrs) of Goa liquor worth Rs 1 lakh being illegally transported in a car,” DSP Vijaykumar Hiremath said.
Four accused who have been arrested were identified as Anand Raju Koppad (Gokak), Chidanand Arjun Biradi (Waderatti), Ravi Yamanappa Bagewadi (Tukkanatti) and Shanur Mehaboob Karipali (Gokak).
The case has been registered at the Gokak Range Excise Office and the accused were produced for remand.
“Taking advantage of heavy rains which has affected night patrolling, the bootleggers are engaged in smuggling illicit liquor from Goa to different parts of Karnataka,” an official said.
The excise officials conducted the raid under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Central excise, DSP Vijaykumar Hiremath and PI Shankargouda Patil.
