Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The Canacona Excise Department seized 300 cartons of whiskey worth approximately ₹18.72 lakh after allegedly finding the liquor concealed among vegetable sacks inside an inter-state container at the Polem Checkpost late Sunday night.
The container was intercepted at around 11 pm while reportedly proceeding towards Karwar. During a routine inspection, Excise officials questioned the driver about the contents of the vehicle. His claim that potatoes were being transported from Goa to Karnataka reportedly raised suspicion.
The Excise team then physically inspected the container and found sacks containing vegetables. On closer examination, officials discovered liquor cartons concealed among the sacks.
While the inspection was underway, the driver and cleaner allegedly fled from the spot and disappeared into the darkness.
The container was subsequently detained, and the liquor was counted on Monday. The Canacona Excise team, led by Excise Inspector Rohit Desai, seized 300 cartons of whiskey valued at approximately ₹18.72 lakh.
Desai said the driver’s statement regarding the transportation of potatoes to Karnataka had raised suspicion, as potatoes are regularly transported into Goa from Karnataka. The subsequent inspection led to the discovery of the concealed liquor.
The container, bearing registration number KA-19-AD-4880 and valued at around ₹6.50 lakh, was also detained.
Excise officials Rohit Desai and Pradeep Kholkar were involved in the seizure. A manhunt has been launched to trace the absconding driver and cleaner, while further investigation is underway.I
