Goa liquor smuggling racket busted in Hyderabad, two held
- Two men arrested for smuggling premium liquor from Goa to Hyderabad.
- Over 200 cartons of high-end alcohol brands seized from a truck near Shamshabad.
- Police suspect a larger network involved in illegal supply to bars and parties.
Racket Busted Near Shamshabad
Hyderabad police have busted a liquor smuggling racket that brought premium alcohol from Goa into the city. Two men were arrested late Monday night near Shamshabad after a tip-off led to the interception of a truck.
Officers from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport police station acted on intelligence about a suspicious vehicle. They stopped the truck on the outskirts of the city and found it loaded with cartons of high-end liquor brands.
Seizure and Arrests
Police seized over 200 cartons of liquor, including whisky, rum, and vodka brands that are typically sold at a premium in Goa. The value of the consignment is estimated to be in the range of several lakh rupees.
The two accused have been identified as residents of the Old City area. They were transporting the liquor in a truck with a modified cabin to hide the cargo. Officials said the men confessed to making regular trips to Goa to procure the alcohol.
Modus Operandi
Investigators revealed that the racket exploited the difference in excise duty between Goa and Telangana. Goa has lower taxes on alcohol, making it cheaper to buy liquor there and sell it illegally in Hyderabad at a higher profit.
The smugglers would purchase the liquor from wholesale markets in Goa and transport it in trucks. They targeted high-end brands that are in demand at private parties and high-end bars in the city. The alcohol was often sold without any proper documentation or tax payment.
Police Investigation Underway
Police are now trying to trace the buyers and distributors who were part of this network. They suspect that several bars and event organisers in Hyderabad were regular customers. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of trips made by the accused.
The two men have been booked under relevant sections of the Telangana Excise Act. They were produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigations are on to identify other links in the supply chain.
What to watch: Police are likely to issue notices to commercial establishments found to be purchasing smuggled liquor. The excise department may also review enforcement along major highways entering the city.