Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jan 25: Excise officials in Kolhapur have uncovered an alleged inter-state liquor smuggling racket involving consignments worth several crores, following a raid conducted at the Patradevi checkpoint in recent days.

During the operation, officials seized a large stock of Goa-brewed foreign liquor valued at around Rs 1.5 crore from Anuskura village in Sahuwadi taluka. Preliminary investigations indicate that the consignment was being transported through Maharashtra with Gujarat as its intended destination.

The seizure came amid allegations from local residents in Goa, who claimed that officials at the Patradevi checkpoint were complicit in the racket and had allegedly allowed trucks carrying the illegal liquor to pass without proper inspection.

Sources in the excise department said the probe is focusing on possible lapses and corruption at the border checkpoint, as well as identifying the larger network involved in the illegal transportation of liquor across state lines.

The incident has raised serious concerns about enforcement failures along state borders, prompting calls for stricter monitoring, tighter checks and accountability of officials to curb organised liquor smuggling operations. Further investigation is underway.