Pathankot: Pathankot police have arrested a woman on charges of illegal liquor smuggling after recovering three cartons containing 36 bottles of liquor from her scooter. According to police, the accused had allegedly removed the track-and-trace hologram stickers from all the bottles.
The accused has been identified as Santosh, a resident of Kothi Pandita village.
Police Received Tip-Off During Checking Operation
According to police officials, a team from Sadar police station was conducting routine checking near Barath Sahib Morh with a government vehicle and investigation kit when they received specific information about the accused.
Police were informed that a woman named Santosh used to remove track-and-trace and hologram stickers from liquor bottles and sell them at higher prices by presenting them as legally sourced liquor from authorised vends.
The information further suggested that she would be travelling towards Sarna and Kothi Pandita areas carrying liquor cartons on her scooter.
Woman Tried to Flee After Seeing Police
Acting on the tip-off, police immediately set up a checkpoint near Shakuntala Palace in Sarna and began checking vehicles.
During the operation, a black Activa scooter bearing registration number PB-35 AM-4402 was spotted coming from the Narot Mehra bridge side. The scooter was being driven by a woman.
On noticing the police team, the woman allegedly got nervous and attempted to turn back and flee from the spot. However, Woman Head Constable Praveen Kumari quickly intercepted and stopped her. During questioning, the woman identified herself as Santosh.
36 Bottles Without Hologram Stickers Recovered
Before conducting the search, police attempted to include local residents as witnesses, but no one agreed to join the legal proceedings.
Police then searched the scooter and recovered 24 liquor bottles from two boxes placed in the front portion of the vehicle, along with another 12 bottles during further checking, taking the total recovery to 36 bottles packed in three cartons.
Officials said all recovered bottles had their track-and-trace system markings and hologram stickers completely removed.
Police have seized both the liquor and the scooter and registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Excise Act and cheating-related provisions. Further investigation is underway to identify others who may be linked to the illegal liquor network.