VALPOI:
Liquor worth around Rs 12 lakh was seized from a pickup at the Keri check post, while the vehicle was proceeding from Goa to Belagavi via Chorla on Tuesday afternoon.
According to excise officials, the seized pickup is from Karnataka and had a fake Goa number plate. Preliminary investigations have also revealed that the seized liquor stock was packaged in a factory in Sattari taluka.
The incident took place as the pickup was stopped for a routine inspection and the driver informed the excise team that the pickup was filled with wood chips.
However, the excise team became suspicious and decided to inspect the pickup. They found wood chips at the back and the front of the cargo and liquor hidden in between them.
The excise team then seized about 700 bottles of Goa-made liquor worth Rs 12 lakh and seized the illegal consignment along with the vehicle.
The pickup driver who hails from Belagavi was later detained in this connection, as investigations are in progress.
