Spurious liquor racket busted; kingpin held

Peddemul: The news about preparation of adulterated liquor in Nagulapalli village has created flutter in the mandal. Excise officials raided a house and arrested one Mogulappa from the village. The sleuths simultaneously conducted raids in Doma mandal and took a person, B Laxman, into custody.

People in the district are startled on knowing that the illicit liquor was being supplied to other places from the district. They also expressed concern that the liquor they consumed till now could have been adulterated. Mogulappa, who was arrested in Nagulappali, played a major role in supplying the adulterated liquor to different shops apart from brewing it. His native village is Mogudampally in Zaheerabad mandal in Sangareddy district. He had been looking after the business at the local wine shop for two years.

He came across some people who were already into the adulteration business. With their advice and help from Komati Butchaiah of Nagulapalli village, he started preparation of adulterated liquor. They sold the liquor at the wine shop, where Mogulappa was working. The owners have 10 more such shops in the district. Now questions arise whether Mogulappa supplied the illicit liquor to the other 10 shops as well. His partner Komati Butchaiah who had a 'belt shop' at Nagulapalli sold the same liquor prepared by them.

Mogulappa wisely operated the business. It is alleged that he bribed officials heavily to escape raids from police and excise departments. He made a killing during the successive elections. But when excise officials raided such centres in Warangal and Nalgonda, the persons who were caught revealed about Mogulappa.

When officials raided his house, they found chemicals and bottles used in preparing the liquor. They took him into custody for interrogation. But Butchaiah is at large and officials are looking for him.

Officials are investigating how the 'rectified spirit' reached the accused. Speaking to The Hans India, Excise Circle Inspector Tukya Naik said that they identified that one Srinu from Ballary was the main culprit. "We will take them into custody and interrogate him for more details. Meanwhile we will also arrest Butchaiah who is absconding in the case," he said.