There is a high demand for liquor in the State during this festival season with Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) bottles from neighbouring Puducherry being preferred by tipplers considering their less price. Sensing an opportunity to make quick money, bootleggers are engaging youth to transport the bottles from the Union Territory right under the radar of prohibition authorities. 

 

There are at least two dozen liquor shops and private bars on the 21-km National Highway stretch between Karaikal and Nagapattinam towns. Liquor is sold at a less price in the Karaikal region due to the low tax imposed by the Puducherry government. This apart, it is claimed that the Puducherry liquor is of much better quality with a wide range of varieties. 

“There are as many as 824 varieties including beer, wine and vodka. Since the price varies between Rs 20 and Rs 9,890, it attracts tipplers from Tamil Nadu,” said a salesman of a shop, located on the highway.

Such being the case, the smuggling of liquor bottles to Tamil Nadu has become a lucrative business. 

According to informed sources, a clandestine operation is under way by a few individuals who purchase liquor in bulk from Karaikal region and then sell it in retail for higher returns. “Since they purchase in bulk, the buyers get more benefits and the prices come down further,” a source added.

Although prohibition authorities are keeping a watch especially at the inter-state borders, sources said bootleggers are now engaging youngsters to smuggle the bottles in small quantities. It is said the youth are being paid Rs 4,000 for bringing in 500 bottles of 750 ml each.

“Youngsters, especially those belonging to Nedungadu, Nalladai, Paruthikudi, Kurumbakaram, Kulakudi, Ponpethi and Surakudi villages in Nagapattinam district, are involved in smuggling bottles,” sources said, adding that a few women are also being engaged to do this.

There are 10 entry points to Nagapattinam from Karaikal (Puducherry), but the Tamil Nadu police has established check-posts only at six points. This enables the bootleggers to smuggle liquor to districts like Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Tiruchy, the source said.

There have been incidents of liquor bottles being seized from milk and vegetable vans plying between Nagapattinam and Karaikal. Even luxury cars and high-end bikes are used for the purpose, said sources.

Following the Supreme Court order which banned liquor shops along highways, mobile vendors have reportedly cropped up at various locations. It is said that there are agents who directs those in need of liquor to these mobile vendors.

 

“The vendors switch their location frequently fearing arrest, but these agents are well informed about it. They also have a list of available brands and their prices. These agents are given an incentive based on the sales they promote,” said a source.

Number of check-posts between Nagapattinam and Karaikal districts

Each check-post is being manned by two police personnel