Smuggling via air: Excise team seizes 92 non-duty paid liquor bottles at Pahadi Shareef

Hyderabad: Acting on specific intelligence that non-duty paid liquor was being illegally transported from Goa through the airport route, the Excise Special Task Force (STF) conducted vehicle checks at Pahadi Shareef and seized 92 liquor bottles, along with three cars.

Cases have been registered against 15 persons in connection with the smuggling attempt.

The operation was carried out by an STF team led by Anji Reddy, who confirmed that the accused and seized vehicles were handed over to the Meerpet Excise Station for further investigation.

Four separate cases registered

Officials conducted inspections in four batches and booked separate cases:

First case: 23 liquor bottles and one car seized; four persons booked.

Second case: 34 liquor bottles and one car seized; five persons booked.

Third case: 21 liquor bottles and one car seized; six persons booked.

Fourth case: 14 liquor bottles seized.

In total, 92 bottles of liquor were confiscated and 15 individuals were booked under relevant excise laws.

NDPL liquor from other states is illegal

Krishna Priya, Excise Superintendent, Shamshabad (Ranga Reddy district), said that bringing Non-Duty Paid Liquor (NDPL) into Telangana from states such as Goa, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan through air routes is a punishable offence.

She stated that several individuals have been purchasing liquor at lower prices in Goa and other states and illegally transporting it to Telangana for resale at higher prices.

Strict action warned

The Excise Department has warned that stringent action will be taken against anyone found transporting NDPL liquor into Telangana. Vehicles involved in such activities will also be seized and criminal cases will be registered against the offenders.

Officials said surveillance and vehicle checks will be intensified around Shamshabad Airport and adjoining areas to curb illegal liquor smuggling.