Illegal Liquor Racket emanating from CSD Canteens

Armymen under suspicion in illegal liquor racket by Sandip Dighe.
A major racket involving the illegal sale of liquor meant for the defence services in the open market has been unearthed by the state excise department with the arrest of Ramsevak Ramchandra Sharan (48) from Ghorpadi, last week.
Sharan was selling the liquor from his grocery shop in Ghorpadi. Around 30 army personnel are under the police scanner for their suspected role in the racket.
According to the excise department, the liquor was purchased by the army personnel from the central stores department (CSD) canteen meant for defence personnel, then sold to Sharan, who used to give them Rs40 per bottle as commission. He later sold it at a higher price.
On October 8, on a tip-off, the police team lead by police inspector Shivshankar Patil caught Sharan red-handed selling liquor at his shop.
The excise police recovered 133 liquor bottles of McDowell, XXX Rum and other brands, together valued at Rs28,930.
Sub-inspector RB Birajdar of the state excise department told DNA, “We got to know that about 30 army personnel are involved in illegal activities for the last couple of years.”-via DNA
Armymen under suspicion in illegal liquor racket
Comment: There is rampant sales of liquor in all metro cities to unauthorised personnel. This malaise needs to be curbed in a concerted manner. There is need to get to the bottom of this organised crime.