Goa liquor smuggling racket busted in Hyderabad, two held

The Prohibition and Excise Department's Special Task Force has busted an alleged non-duty-paid liquor racket near Pahadishareef and seized 98 bottles worth about Rs 2 lakh. Two Ibrahimpatnam residents were identified during the operation, and further legal action has begun.

Hyderabad: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Prohibition and Excise Department busted a non-duty-paid liquor racket and seized 98 liquor bottles worth about Rs 2 lakh, along with a car, during vehicle checks near Pahadishareef early on Tuesday.

According to officials, the suspects travelled to Goa by air on weekends, and frequented casinos. Afterwards, they purchased liquor bottles and transported them to Telangana on their return flights. The liquor was then allegedly sold illegally to customers of a grocery store and to people organising private functions.

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During the checks, officials intercepted a car carrying 42 non-duty-paid liquor bottles. The occupants were identified as Kuntimalli Srinivas and PVVS Ramakrishna, both residents of Ibrahimpatnam. Further searches led to the seizure of another 56 liquor bottles from other vehicles, taking the total haul to 98 bottles. The car used to transport the liquor was also seized, officials stated.

The seized liquor bottles and the vehicle were handed over to the Shamshabad Excise Station for further legal action.