Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, May 11: In a major crackdown, Goa Excise officials have exposed a high-stakes tax evasion operation involving a Haryana-based liquor distribution company that tried to smuggle a consignment of premium liquor into the state — bypassing duties worth over Rs 1 crore.
The bust unfolded at the Patradevi checkpost on Wednesday when a Haryana-registered truck carrying top-shelf liquor brands like Chivas Regal, Johnnie Walker, Black Label, and Absolut Vodka was intercepted. The cargo was falsely declared as a consignment for “Customs” to evade regulatory scrutiny.
However, alert Excise officers flagged inconsistencies. Key among them was the size of the bottles: unlike the 1,000 ml packaging standard for Customs liquor, the seized bottles were mostly 750 ml — typical of retail sale. This raised red flags, prompting the arrest and interrogation of the truck driver. He was later released on bail, but investigations continue into the authenticity of the liquor and its intended distribution.
A raid on a warehouse in Alto Pilerne further confirmed the smuggling attempt. Officials discovered that no permits, duty payments, or excise clearances had been issued — a clear sign that this was a black-market operation. The consignment, valued at Rs 75 lakh, was reportedly the company’s first undeclared entry into Goa.
“This was a sophisticated attempt to infiltrate Goa’s liquor market without any legal compliance. If undetected, it would have resulted in massive revenue loss to the state,” a senior Excise source told reporters.
The Excise Department has since issued a show cause notice to the Haryana firm and is considering suspending its wholesale license in Goa. Authorities suspect this incident could be part of a broader illicit supply chain operating under the guise of Customs-bound goods.
Liquor from Haryana — particularly Gurgaon and Faridabad — is notably cheaper due to lower taxes, making it a hotbed for bootlegging. Past reports have also uncovered illegal rebottling units in the region, where inferior alcohol is repackaged as premium liquor.
“This case might be just the tip of the iceberg,” the official warned. “Had this shipment slipped through, the state would have lost crores in duties. We’re now probing possible links to wider black-market networks.”
Senior Excise officials, including commissioner Sarpreet Gill and additional commissioner Gaurish Shankwalkar, were unavailable for comment.