The state excise department on Sunday seized illegal scotch worth Rs 6.89 lakh after chasing a car in the Dadar area. Officials are trying to trace the driver who fled the spot. According to sources from excise department, as the time nears for the New Year celebrations, the demand for alcohol increases and to meet it dealers are now trying to smuggle alcohol into the city.
Sources from the excise department said that alcohol was being transported in a white ambassador car, which is generally used by government officials. A senior officer from excise department said, “On Friday evening we were tipped off about a large amount of alcohol being illegally supplied in the Dadar area in the evening.
So, we laid a trap in the area under the guidance of Vijay Singhal, state excise commissioner, Dr B.G.Shekhar, director of state excise vigilance department, Subhash Jadhav, inspector and sub inspector Sanjeev Devre. Later, after a few hours, we saw a white ambassador car moving at a very low speed. So, we tried to intercept the car but seeing us following them, driver of the car also increased the speed and later after a chase of one kilometre, we saw the car standing around a corner.”
Officials believe that arrest of the absconding driver could lead the arrest of the mastermind of this illegal activity. But, they found that the driver had abandoned the car and fled. But they recovered four big gunny bags stuffed with alcohol bottles worth Rs 6,89,100.
According to the sources from excise dept, these were one-litre bottles of scotch, which is sold by duty free stores in airports. As per rules, passengers can purchase two bottles on one passport. Hence, the officials are treating the discovery of such huge quantity of alcohol as a case of smuggling.
Shankar Ambekar, inspector of excise department, commenting on the chase said, “The driver took advantage of the crowded Hindmata area and managed to escape. He left the car on DSP road. We are verifying the car’s documents and will hopefully catch the accused soon.”
