PANAJI: While election campaigning is slowly building up to its crescendo, Goa Police has already reached a high. A Rs 2.5 crore alcohol seizure in just one week has left authorities astounded.Police have expressed surprise at the number of bottles being stored in the state without valid licences during election time although liquor is easily available and the prices are relatively low compared to other states.Every day last week, a raid has been conducted by the police to curb misuse of liquor for elections. Eight raids were conducted by the police, while the excise department carried out one. They have seized huge consignments of alcohol stored illegally in various places across the state.The district investigation unit of North Goa district police seized the highest amount of liquor bottles worth Rs 1.5 crore from three different premises in Dhargal, Pernem . The second highest consignment was seized by Mapusa police, worth Rs 71 lakh. The crime branch hauled in Rs 10 lakh worth of liquor at Mapusa, making it the third largest seizure.Using alcohol to woo the electorate is not new to Indian politics. A senior police officer said that based on directions of the Election Commission of India , they have become active in cracking down on the illegal use of alcohol during elections.The officer said they suspect the liquor which was seized could have been smuggled to neighbouring states since the excise rates are much higher outside Goa.He added said that during the previous inter-state coordination meeting held to discuss how to control liquor smuggling from Goa to Maharashtra and Karnataka, police officers raised apprehensions that bottles may be smuggled from here.“Taking serious note of the meeting, we have increased surveillance at borders and activated our sources so that as and when any illegal liquor storage is found, police will move into action,” the officer said. Once the bottles are seized, they are handed over to the excise department.Last week, to ensure free and fair elections, the government curtailed the closure time of all liquor shops, bars, pubs, food joints and shacks. They have been prohibited from selling alcohol after 11pm till April 20. These establishments will also be prohibited from selling or serving liquor between 6pm on April 21 and 12am on April 23, the day Goa goes to polls.

Stay updated with all the Latest Goa headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.