Hyderabad Excise Task Force Busts Smuggling Racket Using Blood Plasma Van
In a dramatic operation, sleuths from the Telangana State Prohibition and Excise Task Force intercepted a freezer van on the Narsapur highway near Gagillapur on Tuesday afternoon. The vehicle, ostensibly transporting blood plasma from Delhi to a biopharmaceutical company in Gagillapur, was found to be concealing a consignment of suspected non-duty paid Scotch whisky.
Seizure and Arrest Details
During a thorough inspection, the excise team discovered 24 bottles of single malt Scotch whisky hidden within the van's freezer compartment. The driver, identified as Chintala Jaipal Reddy, a 30-year-old resident of Manthatti village in Vikarabad, was immediately taken into custody at the scene.
Reddy confessed to authorities that he had been procuring the Scotch for three employees of a Gagillapur-based biopharmaceutical solutions company. The individuals named are A Balakrishna Reddy of Ainanpally, Vinay Kumar of Jiyaguda, and K Thirupathi of Ramagundam, all of whom are currently absconding.
Smuggling Operation and Financial Details
According to an excise department official, Jaipal Reddy revealed that he sources each bottle of Scotch from a contact in Delhi for approximately Rs 2,700. He then sells the bottles to the pharma company executives for Rs 3,500 each. This represents a significant markup, as the retail price for the same Scotch in Telangana is around Rs 7,500 per bottle.
The official emphasized that this smuggling operation exploited the legitimate cover of blood plasma transport, highlighting the innovative methods used by illicit traders to evade detection.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
The seized stock of Scotch whisky, along with the accused driver, has been handed over to the Quthbullapur excise station for further investigation. A formal case has been registered under the Excise Act, and authorities are intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend the absconding suspects.
This incident underscores the ongoing vigilance of state excise departments in combating illegal alcohol trade, particularly through sophisticated concealment tactics. The investigation is expected to delve deeper into the supply chain and potential connections to broader smuggling networks.
