Udupi: Police Raid Fake Liquor Manufacturing Unit, Suspect Noronha Escapes
Pics: Durga Digitals
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Aug 24: Padubidri police raided a fake liquor manufacturing unit in Bajpe on Saturday, August 23, and seized a stock of fake liquor and equipment worth Rs 1.72 lac.

The policemen came across a stock of fake liquor at Hejamady check post, as it was being transported in an auto rickshaw. They followed the lead and reached the manufacturing unit located in a remote area of Nellikaje, at Mucchur village, which comes under the jurisdiction of Bajpe police station. 

The police raid yielded thousands of liters of fake liquor, 80 boxes of fake whisky and rum, empty bottles of premium brands of whisky and rum, 24 cans of spirit, stock of labels, and the manufacturing unit in a broken down condition. The unit was located in the backyard of one Urban Noronha, in a house on a hillock at Nellikaje. However, Noronha, managed to escape through the back door and efforts are on to nab him.

Traffic police in Padubidri had observed the auto rickshaw's suspicious movements around the town, on Saturday morning. They signaled the auto driver to stop, but he tried to escape and turned the auto towards Mulky.  But when the auto reached Hejamady check post, the policemen there who had prior information, intercepted the auto rickshaw. Their search yielded fake liquor worth Rs 30,000 hidden below the seat in concealed cavities. The auto driver revealed the names of Mohan and Prashant, after being subjected to thorough interrogation.

With information from the auto driver, Padubidri police sub-inspector Mohan Kottari, and his team of policemen headed to the fake liquor manufacturing unit in the guise of vendors and raided the unit.

Assistant sub-inspector Guruvappa and policemen Suresh, Ashok, Purushottam, Chandra, Thomas, Balakrishna and driver Sudhakar along with sub-inspector Mohan Kottari, were involved in this raid. Padubidri police have handed over the case to Bajpe police and sub- inspector Ramesh Kumar has begun investigations.