PANAJI
In a development that could raise eyebrows regarding Goa’s porous borders, particularly amidst heightened vigilance due to the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, a truck carrying liquor valued at Rs 50.40 lakh was intercepted in Gujarat after being smuggled out of Goa.
This incident comes despite the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Goa, Police, and the Excise Department claiming that flying squads are constituted to crack down on illegal activities across the borders.
In the current case, Gujarat Crime Branch in Navsari arrested several persons involved in the smuggling operation, including the alleged notorious liquor smuggler from Goa.
“Investigations revealed that the substantial quantity of liquor was supplied by Francis, also known as Michael Diego D'Souza Nao, the proprietor of Variety Liquor Shop in Goa, and Manish Sriramdas Mishra, the Director of Maximus Distillery. The intended recipients of the illicit alcohol were identified as Ramesh Vankar from Godhra, Gujarat, and Suresh Bishnoi from Rajasthan,” the Gujarat police said.
CB Police Inspector Dipak Korat, speaking to The Goan, confirmed the liquor stacks were smuggled from Goa.
It was the arrest of a driver identified as Faarukhkhan Karimkhan Moyla, and his associate Vikramkumar Bhil from Sanchore, Rajasthan, which led to further arrests. The Gujarat police claimed that the duo received instructions from the bootlegger via mobile phone, and transported the consignment through Maharashtra into Gujarat, intending to deliver it to Godhra. However, their plans were thwarted when they were apprehended before reaching their destination.
Korat said the accused are being interrogated after the local court there remanded them to six days of police custody. Korat indicated that further custody might be sought based on investigations, with additional arrests likely. The police officials from Goa refused to comment on the issue.
