Goa, May 11 -- Goa Excise officials have uncovered a significant tax evasion scheme involving a Haryana-based liquor distribution company that attempted to smuggle premium liquor brands such as Chivas Regal, Absolut Vodka, Johnnie Walker, and Black Label into the state without paying over Rs 1 crore in duties. The operation was intercepted at the Patradevi checkpost, where a Haryana-registered truck, falsely claiming its consignment was for "Customs," was found carrying retail-sized bottles (mostly 750 ml and under) instead of the 1,000 ml packaging required for Customs shipments. This discrepancy raised suspicions, leading to the driver's brief arrest and a deeper investigation.

Subsequent raids at a warehouse in Alto Pilerne revealed t...