Bottled Deceit: Goa Cracks Open Rs 1 Cr Liquor Tax Scam

In a major swoop, Goa Excise officials have cracked an elite liquor evasion gang worth over ₹1 crore by intercepting a Haryana-regdistrated truck at Patradevi checkpost loaded with premium brands like Chivas Regal, Absolut Vodka, and Johnnie Walker. The consignment, falsely declared as "Customs" goods, was to be sold at retail in Goa's high-value tourist market. Officials noted that seized bottles were of 750ml pack-size-standard for retail, not duty-free customs.

 

Following the seizure, a raid on an Alto Pilerne warehouse revealed that this was likely the company's first illicit consignment to Goa with no duty payment, permits, or excise clearance. Wholesale trade of the Haryana-based distribution firm is now under a show cause notice and suspension of its wholesale trade in the state. Officials are probing links to a bigger black-market network with seized liquor valued at ₹75 lakh.

 

Source: The Goan