Chennai, June 10(NBPS)
With TASMAC outlets closed since stringent lockdown commenced in Tamil Nadu, the tipplers in the state are longing for a drink, and capitalizing on the moment, liquor smuggling in the state is on the rise.
With neighbouring Puducherry opening its doors to liquor vends and shops, there is a heavy rush in the outlets that are bordering Tamil Nadu at places like Karaikal and Villupuram.
However what is worrying the police is the increase in the number of smugglers, both small-time and large-scale smugglers. On Wednesday, Mylapore police arrested Kulandai Yesu 32, a youth who is working with a leading food aggregator with 10 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor(IMFL). He was questioned while he was seen moving suspiciously on seeing a police picket and when his bag was inspected police could get 10 bottles of IMFL meant for residents in various flats of the town.
The 32-year-old food delivery executive on the interrogation admitted that he and three of his friends were into bringing liquor from Karnataka and Puducherry and sell it door to door to prospective customers under the guise of delivering food to homes.
The Tenkasi police had on Wednesday night arrested Gnanamani, S/o Subramanian and Anandaraj, S/o Sakthivel who was transporting 230 bottles of Karnataka Silver Cup Brandy in a Maruti S Cross car. The vehicle was also seized by the police.
Police have also seized 1399 bottles of different varieties of IMFL brands at Salem City, Karuppur which was smuggled to the state from Karnataka. The Salem City police led by Sub Inspector, TR Sathiamoorthy and his team of policemen at the toll plaza under Karuppur police station limits. One person, V Subrathin was arrested while another person who was also in the vehicle smuggling liquor, Aakash absconded. The accused, according to police had smuggled the liquor in a Balero vehicle.
The Pudukottai Prohibition Enforcement Wing seized 2200 liters of arrack on June 9 at Annavasal police station limits. Those who were involved in illicit liquor brewing escaped and the police destroyed the seized liquor.
Police have also apprehended three youths who were trying to smuggle in liquor at Cuddalore with around 140 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). With the arrest of several youths from different parts of the state of Tamil Nadu, police and excise have increased vigil and prevent the smuggling of liquor from Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, and Karnataka.
Another major issue, the police are confronting is the illegal brewing of arrack in rural areas of Tamil Nadu especially in the Southern districts of the state. Theni, Cumbum areas are under police and excise scanner to prevent the illegal brewing and sale of arrack in these areas.
A source at Dindugal district while speaking to BPNS on conditions of anonymity said,” Arrack is available secretly but it’s very costly and 750 ml of arrack is costing you around 1450 rupees to even 2000 rupees. Habitual drinkers are not bothered and are somehow pooling money and selling it.”
Deputy Superintendent of Tamil Nadu state Prohibition Enforcement Wing of the state police, R Purushothaman while speaking to BPNS said, “The police is on constant vigil and are intercepting almost all the vehicles which cross into our state from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. We are confiscating the liquor seized and arrested the culprits and the police are on a major crackdown against those involved in illicit brewing and is destroying all the illegal brewing acts and our local team of policemen and women are acting properly.”
