Over 43 litres of illicit liquor worth Rs 1 lakh seized

Vijayawada: In a major crackdown on illegal liquor transportation, the prohibition and excise department of West Godavari, under the supervision of district prohibition and excise officer Dr R.S. Kumareshwaran, seized a large quantity of Yanam liquor. Acting on credible information, assistant excise superintendent R Prasad Reddy directed Tanuku prohibition and excise inspector Y Manikantha Reddy and his team to conduct vehicle inspections in Kantheru village, Iragavaram mandal. During the operation, officials intercepted a car transporting 43.1 litres of illicit liquor—209 liquor bottles and 10 tins of beer—valued at approximately Rs 1 lakh in the black market. The vehicle, worth around Rs 5 lakh, was also seized.
The prime accused, Kovvuri Venkata Srinivasa Reddy, was arrested at the scene. A known offender, he has multiple excise cases against him in Tadepalligudem, Bhimadolu, and Devarapalli and was previously involved in smuggling Goa liquor. Authorities have also identified Konaala Venkata Satyanarayana Reddy, alias Bharat Reddy, and supplier Baadarla Prem Kumar as co-accused, with search operations underway to apprehend them.
Excise enforcement officials, including Commissioner Nishanth and Director Rahuldev Sharma, reaffirmed their commitment to curbing revenue loss from illicit liquor trade. MSID:: 118806271 413 |