In a major enforcement breakthrough, Goa Excise officials have uncovered a sophisticated liquor smuggling operation aimed at evading taxes worth over Rs. 1 crore.
The racket, allegedly orchestrated by a Haryana-based liquor distributor, involved transporting a consignment of premium alcohol into the state under the guise of Customs-bound goods.
The bust occurred at the Patradevi checkpost on Wednesday, where a Haryana-registered truck was intercepted. Officials found it carrying high-end liquor brands such as Chivas Regal, Johnnie Walker Black Label, and Absolut Vodka. The consignment was falsely declared as destined for “Customs,” an apparent attempt to dodge regulatory scrutiny and state excise duties.
Excise officers grew suspicious due to discrepancies in the packaging. Unlike the standard 1,000 ml bottles used for Customs shipments, most of the seized liquor was in 750 ml bottles — the typical size for retail sales. This inconsistency prompted immediate action, leading to the arrest of the truck driver. He was later released on bail, and investigations into the authenticity and destination of the liquor are ongoing.
A follow-up raid on a warehouse in Alto Pilerne confirmed the illegal nature of the operation. Authorities discovered that no permits, excise clearances, or duty payments had been issued for the seized consignment, estimated to be worth ₹75 lakh. Officials believe this was the company’s first undeclared shipment into Goa.
“This was a well-orchestrated attempt to penetrate Goa’s liquor market illegally. Had it succeeded, it would have caused significant revenue losses to the state,” a senior Excise Department source said.
The department has issued a show-cause notice to the Haryana-based company and is considering suspending its wholesale license in Goa. Officials suspect this incident could be linked to a larger network using Customs designations as cover for black-market distribution.
Liquor sourced from Haryana, particularly Gurgaon and Faridabad, is significantly cheaper due to lower taxes — a factor that has made the region a hotspot for bootlegging. Previous investigations have also exposed illegal rebottling units in the area, where substandard alcohol is repackaged as premium brands.
“This may only be the tip of the iceberg,” the official added. “We are now investigating possible links to broader illicit supply chains.”
Senior Excise officials, including Commissioner Sarpreet Gill and Additional Commissioner Gaurish Shankwalkar, were unavailable for comment.
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