PERNEM
Over 40 boxes of liquor valued at around Rs 9 lakh was seized at the Patradevi check post in Pernem on Sunday morning.
An excise team led by Pernem Excise officer Surekha Gohar consisting of officials Mohandas Gaokar, Shamba Parab, Siddhesh Harmalkar, Raymond Pereira, Swapnesh Naik and Suraj Gaude carried out this operation.
The officials stopped the truck at Patradevi check post which was proceeding to Pune, for a routine inspection, when the driver presented them with a fake letter by Navy and stated that the cargo contained important Navy material. The letter said that the cargo contains Defense Ministry's important material related to Navy and should not be stopped at any check post. The letter also maintained that the papers of the cargo and material are in Navy's custody which will be returned to the driver once it reaches its destination. Despite this, the officials were still persistent to check the vehicle. The driver refused to allow them to check the vehicle which made the team suspicious and went behind to check in when he took the opportunity and fled the site.
Officials conducted the panchnama and seized both alcohol and the vehicle.
