THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira has levelled serious allegations against the State government and the Excise Department, accusing them of being complicit in what he described as a well-organised liquor smuggling racket operating within Goa and across its borders.
Ferreira referred to the recent incident at Colvale, where a truck caught fire and was later found to be transporting allegedly spurious liquor. The truck driver fled the scene, raising further suspicion about the nature of the consignment.
“This is not an isolated incident. It goes far beyond a single errant officer,” Ferreira said.
“This is a full-fledged racket operating under the very nose of the Excise Department. I firmly believe that someone very high up in the government hierarchy is involved. It’s not possible for such operations to continue without the blessings of excise inspectors and officials who are clearly in the know,” he added.
Ferreira pointed to systemic lapses and questioned the legitimacy of the movement of liquor in the State.
“How did the liquor bottles leave the distillery? There must be a transport permit, factory clearance, and accountability at every stage. This cannot happen without institutional backing,” he added.
He also reminded the public of a similar episode in 2023 when a distillery in Bicholim was raided and sealed by the Gujarat Police for allegedly manufacturing spurious liquor.
“Even back then, I had raised concerns in the Assembly. The government has not learnt its lesson or perhaps does not want to because it is hand-in-glove with the racketeers,” Ferreira alleged.
While officials have maintained silence over the Colvale incident, opposition leaders have demanded an independent inquiry into the role of the Excise Department and the movement of liquor consignments across the State.
Ferreira urged the Chief Minister to take immediate cognisance of the issue and ensure that the entire network “ from the distillery to the transporters to the excise officials “ is investigated thoroughly.
“This isn’t just about fake liquor,” Ferreira warned, “it’s about how compromised our systems have become and how public safety is being risked for profit.”
