Vijayapura Police Seize Major Illegal Liquor Consignment in Anti-Smuggling Operation
Vijayapura police intercepted a massive illegal liquor shipment worth nearly Rs 1.37 crore being smuggled from Goa to Maharashtra under the guise of vermicompost. Four individuals were arrested, and a formal case has been registered under the Karnataka Excise Act.
Highlights
- •Vijayapura police seized 12,952 liters of illicit liquor hidden under bags of vermicompost.
- •The confiscated alcohol has an estimated street value of nearly Rs 1.37 crore in Karnataka.
- •Four suspects, including a truck driver, were arrested for illegal interstate liquor smuggling.
- •The case is registered under the Karnataka Excise Act with further investigations underway.
In a significant law enforcement operation, Vijayapura district police successfully intercepted and seized a massive consignment of illicit liquor. The operation, which took place during the early hours of Tuesday, led to the immediate arrest of four individuals involved in the illegal transit of alcohol. The contraband was being smuggled from Goa into Maharashtra, concealed beneath layers of agricultural products.
Details of the Major Liquor Seizure in Vijayapura
The authorities discovered the illegal stock while it was hidden under bags of vermicompost in a heavy-duty truck near Kolhar Naka, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Jalanagar police station. Following a credible tip-off, a specialized team led by DySP Nagaraj J successfully intercepted the vehicle, uncovering a sophisticated attempt to bypass state excise regulations. The smugglers had used a tarpaulin cover over the fertilizer bags to mask the true nature of their cargo.
The total volume of the seized alcohol reached 12,952 liters. The cache included 3,480 bottles of Mansion House Brandy, 19,056 bottles of Royal Blue, and 38,400 bottles of Royal Select. While the valuation of this liquor in Goa was pegged at approximately Rs 74.68 lakh, officials noted that its market value in Karnataka could have escalated to nearly Rs 1.37 crore due to pricing disparities between the two states. The entire property, including the truck and the agricultural supplies used for concealment, has an estimated total value of Rs 1.02 crore.
Legal Action Against the Accused
The four individuals taken into police custody have been identified as Srinivas Meesi (25), a driver from Gadag district; Husainsab Mulla (35), from Gandhinagar, Vijayapura; Siddaram Dale (24), based in Solapur, Maharashtra; and Basavaraj Bhajantri (31), a resident of Gadi Somanal village. The suspects were unable to produce any legitimate documentation to authorize the interstate transportation of the massive alcohol consignment.
The Jalanagar police station has officially registered a case against the group under relevant provisions of the Karnataka Excise Act, specifically Sections 32, 34, and 38(A). All four suspects remain in custody as authorities continue to conduct a thorough investigation into the supply chain. Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi formally recognized the police team for their diligence in identifying and disrupting this illegal interstate transportation network, emphasizing the department’s commitment to curbing such illicit activities.
