Goemkarponn Desk
CANACONA: On the eve of Karnataka Polls, Canacona Excise confiscated whiskey and Beer bottles from a jungle area of Loliem-Polem bordering Karwar (Karnataka) apparently being smuggled into Karnataka to influence the elections which began today morning.
The seized 48 bottles of whisky and 24 tins of beer all valued @ Rs.23,280/- were found hidden and in the Jungle area of Loliem near to Karnataka-Goa state border and abandoned after some unknown elements were reportedly tried to corner by Excise Officials.
According to Excise sources, a Flying Squad team headed by Canacona Excise flying by Chandranath Dessai Superintendent of Excise (Abkari Adhikshak) raided the area after a specific information was received about some elements were trying to smuggle liquor consignment through the forest cover.
When the Excise team reached searched the area, at about 5.45 pm on Tuesday, 48 bottles of whisky and 24 tins of beer of value Rs.23,280/- were found abandoned in the Jungle area of Loliem near to Karnataka-Goa state border and the alleged smuggler’s fled the site.
The raid was supported by Excise officials Videsh Dhuri, Santosh Gaonkar, Datta Gaonkar, Anandu Velip, Anay Velip and Vinod Naik.
It may be known that Canacona Excise has kept a close watch on the illegal transportation of liquor at Polem border checkpost and all the known pilferage routes through the sea (Polem coast) and through forests of Khotigao and Loliem-Polem, and especially intensified since the declaration of Karnataka Polls.
A total of 56 liquor outlets in Canacona taluka especially at Loliem-Polem village bordering Karwar District of Karnataka are kept closed from 8th May evening till 8 pm on Wednesday, and will also remain closed for Counting day on 13th May.
It is believed that a lot of Goan liquor has found its way through Karnataka, and freely used to influence voters in that State, as the State goes to polls on Wednesday
