Task Force authorities of the state spearheaded the probe into private transport services bringing non-duty paid liquor (NDPL) into various districts of AP. Payments for such liquor went through digital transactions.
Vijayawada: AP government authorities have busted a chain that smuggled non-duty paid liquor into several districts of the state. In the process, they have seized substantial quantities of illicit liquor.
Task Force authorities of the state spearheaded the probe into private transport services bringing non-duty paid liquor (NDPL) into various districts of AP. Payments for such liquor went through digital transactions.
Detailed inquiries revealed that Chennai-based S. Prabhu had been the key figure in the illegal supply chain. Chennai police have arrested him.
State excise authorities booked a case in Rajahmundry of East Godavari on December 27, 2024 after seizing 112 bottles of premium brands of liquor and arrested two men.
At Bhimavaram in West Godavari, police seized a car carrying 25 bottles of premium liquor and arrested five persons on January 8. Similarly, authorities booked a case in Vijayawada of NTR district on January 12 after seizing 12 bottles of NDPL and arresting two drivers. On January 13 in Nellore, authorities seized 25 liquor bottles and arrested a repeat offender Muniswamy Nagaraju, who has been in liquor smuggling for the past eight years.
Excise authorities believe S. Prabhu from Chennai and Manikyam from Vyasarpadi are the two primary suppliers of NDPL. Their modus operandi involved receiving liquor orders via phone calls or voice messages, packing the stock and dispatching it through private transport services after payments are digitally received via platforms like PhonePe and Google Pay.
Principal secretary (Excise) Mukesh Kumar Meena appreciated the task force and excise officials for their efforts in busting the NDPL supply chain.
