Karwar, Uttara Kannada: Despite stringent police checks, the illegal smuggling of liquor from neighboring Goa into Karnataka persists. Public complaints suggest that some police officers and constables may be involved in this illicit trade.
Recently, a shocking incident occurred at Om Beach in Gokarna, Uttara Kannada district. Santhosh Lamani, a constable from Kadra police station in Karwar taluk, was caught smuggling liquor from Goa. He would transport it in his car and sell it on Om Beach, exploiting his position as a police officer to avoid scrutiny.
The Gokarna police acted swiftly, arresting Lamani and seizing both the Goa liquor and his vehicle, valued at over ₹50,000. An investigation is underway to determine the extent of the constable’s involvement in the larger network of illegal liquor smuggling. A case has been registered against him at the Gokarna police station.