Alcohol worth Rs 2 crore seized over duty evasion

In one of the largest seizures of duty-evaded and duplicate scotch, the state excise department seized liquor worth around Rs 2 crore.

Based on a tip-off, the state excise team under the supervision of deputy commissioner (Konkan) Tanaji Salunkhe and consisting of inspectors Santaji Lad and Manoj Choudhari, laid a trap and nabbed an alleged bootlegger near Khar Gymkhana for allegedly selling duplicate scotch of a premium brand.

Salunkhe said his interrogation then led them to another accused who was supplying him with the brew, who too was arrested at Andheri with four bottles. They also busted a godown at Parsi Punchayat Road in Andheri East where around 172 boxes, which officials suspect, include both duplicates and originals of popular scotch brands, were stored.

Officials however refused to reveal the names of the two arrested accused on grounds that it would hamper investigations.

Describing this as one of the largest hauls in the history of the department, Salunkhe added that around 80% of the stock seemed to be genuine.

The seizure was conducted under the supervision of state excise commissioner Dr Ashwini Joshi.