Goa officer booked for hoarding over 100 liquor bottles

A case has been booked against the Goa chief passport officer after over 100 bottles of imported liquor, including Johnny Walker, Black label and the choicest single malts, were seized from his residence during a CBI raid.

State Customs Commissioner Menino Fernandes confirmed the registration of the offence against Agnelo Fernandes for possession of liquor beyond legal limits.

The Central Bureau of Investigation raid was conducted on Thursday.

"The case has been filed on the basis of the findings of the CBI raid," Fernandes said.

Goa, viewed by many as a tipplers' paradise, thanks to its cheap tax regime on alcohol, has a limit up to which possession of alcohol is allowed.

Sources in the excise department said that the value of the foreign liquor bottles seized at Fernandes' home was around Rs.35 lakh.

"The most common liquor brands in the seizure were Johnny Walker, Black Label and Red Label, Chivas Regal, some extremely expensive single malts and wines," an official said.

Fernandes' residence at Verna, 25 kms from Panaji, was raided following complaints that he had permitted persons with criminal backgrounds to avail of passports.