By The News Observer Desk,
Karwar: In a early-morning operation on Thursday, Karnataka Excise officials stumbled upon a hidden stash of smuggled Goa liquor in a forested area near Karwar.
Acting on directions from the Joint Commissioner of Excise (Enforcement and Investigation), Mangaluru Division, and the Deputy Commissioner of Excise for Uttara Kannada district, a team from the Karwar sub-division conducted a raid around 6:30 am on April 2, 2026.
The officials zeroed in on a spot close to Maingini in Karwar taluk, deep inside the forest. There, tucked away among the bushes at two different locations, they discovered five nylon bags stuffed with liquor brought illegally from Goa.
Upon inspection, the team recovered a total of 107 litres of Goa-made liquor and 12 litres of beer — adding up to 119 litres. The estimated value of the seized stock is around ₹64,480, according to officials.
A case has been registered at the Karwar Excise sub-division office, and teams have launched a search to trace and nab those responsible for stockpiling the contraband.
This kind of seizure highlights the ongoing efforts to crack down on cross-border liquor smuggling in the coastal belt, especially in areas close to the Goa-Karnataka border. Investigations are underway to uncover the full network behind the illegal storage.
Reporting by Saikiran Babrekar
