Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 9: During the current lockdown period relating to operation against coronavirus infection, which is to end on April 14, the excise department has been conducting raids to unearth liquor hoarded by black-marketers. During the raids spanning from March 27 and April 5, the officials raided 6,915 spots, registered 292 cases, and arrested 123 persons. They also have confiscated around 5,000 litre of liquor.

In spite of liquor sale having been banned during the lockdown period, liquor was sold to unscrupulous vendors who sell liquor at a premium, through some bars and wine stores. Later, it was observed that liquor was also concealed in some provision stores, petty shops, and houses for selling at exorbitant prices.

The excise officials raided these spots and took the liquor found illegally stored into possession. The quantum of liquor so seized is 5,021 litres including 1,465 litres of beer and 632 litre of wine.

Bengaluru region with 1,841 raids, accounted for the highest number of raids. Here, 50 cases were registered, 32 were arrested, and 3,587 litres of liquor was seized, the officials said.