Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh excise officials busted a significant non-duty paid liquor (NDPL) supply chain operating across multiple districts, leading to several arrests and the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit liquor.
The state task force (STF) spearheaded the investigation uncovering an extensive network that used private transport services and digital transactions to distribute illegal liquor. Chennai-based supplier S Prabhu was identified as the central figure behind the operation, linking him to multiple illegal liquor distributions throughout the state.
The crackdown began on Dec 27, 2024, in East Godavari district when Rajahmundry (North) police registered an FIR. During the operation, authorities seized 112 bottles of premium liquor brands, including Johnnie Walker, Glenmorangie, Chivas Regal, and Jack Daniels. Two individuals, Burla Balakrishna and Muppana Ravikumar from Rajahmundry, were arrested. Discrepancies in bottle quality and cap types raised suspicions of counterfeit liquor. Further investigation confirmed that the supply originated from one S Prabhu in Chennai, who was identified as the primary supplier to illegal vendors in AP.
On Jan 8, Bhimavaram police registered an FIR following the seizure of a car containing 25 bottles of premium liquor. Five individuals, including key dealer Kommisetty Venkateswarlu, were arrested. STF established that the liquor supply was routed through a well-organised network, with Prabhu’s involvement becoming increasingly evident.
In another case on Jan 12, officials in Vijayawada detected another NDPL case, leading to the seizure of 12 bottles of illicit liquor. Two transport drivers linked to Venkataramana Transport were arrested. Investigators discovered that liquor was being smuggled from Chennai using private transport networks. Several suspects, including former and current managers of Venkataramana Transport, remain at large, indicating the scale of the smuggling operation.
A significant development occurred on Jan 13, with the registration of an FIR. Officials seized 25 liquor bottles and arrested Muniswamy Nagaraju, a repeat offender active for the past eight years. Nagaraju was previously arrested in 2017 but was acquitted. Investigators determined that the liquor was sourced from Chennai through private transport services, reinforcing the link to a broader NDPL network.
Officials identified S. Prabhu from Chennai and Manikyam from Vyasarpadi as the two primary suppliers behind the NDPL network. Their operation involved receiving liquor orders via phone calls or voice messages, packaging stock, and dispatching it through private transport services such as Venkataramana Transport and SRKALT Transport. Payments were processed digitally via platforms like PhonePe and Google Pay, with transactions meticulously documented as evidence. To minimise detection risk, the accused avoided maintaining large inventories, opting instead to stock and distribute liquor based on demand.
A pivotal moment in the case came when Chennai police arrested S Prabhu on Jan 28, while he was attempting to supply NDPL liquor in Chennai. He was booked at PEW Madhavaram police station and subsequently remanded to Puzhal central prison, Chennai. Following his arrest, AP officials obtained a PT warrant from the chief judicial magistrate, Nellore, and dispatched a team to Chennai for further investigation.
Officials consider Prabhu’s arrest a major breakthrough in dismantling the NDPL network in Andhra Pradesh. Ongoing investigations are expected to uncover additional connections and aid in further crackdowns on illegal liquor smuggling.
Excise principal secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena commended the STF and excise officials for their relentless efforts in exposing the NDPL supply chain.
