VALPOI
About 300 kgs of illegally transported beef was seized at the Keri check post on the Goa-Karnataka border on Wednesday. The driver has been booked in this connection.
Acting on a tip-off received from Bajrang Dal activists, police intercepted a car around 4.30 pm and seized the beef from the vehicle.
The estimated value of the seized meat is Rs 1.10 lakh, police said.
According to sources, Bajrang Dal activists had received intelligence that beef would be illegally transported from Belagavi towards Goa and notified the police.
During an inspection at the Keri border check post, a car was stopped by the police. Upon questioning the driver and conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, police found about 300 kgs of beef packed in bags inside the boot and interior of the car.
As the driver failed to produce any valid documents related to the meat, the transportation was deemed illegal. Police then immediately seized the meat along with the vehicle.
Ahmed (47) of Ramapur-Khanapur in Karnataka was booked by the Valpoi Police in this connection.
Further investigation is being conducted by Valpoi Police Sub-Inspector Prathamesh Gawas. The seized meat will be handed over to the authorities concerned for further examination, police said.
Over the past few months, incidents of illegal beef transportation through the Anmod and Chorla ghat routes have reportedly increased.
According to locals, smugglers are increasingly using luxury cars to transport the meat to avoid suspicion.
Since the transportation is carried out in private luxury cars, it often escapes detection during routine inspections, locals alleged.
They have therefore urged the police to strengthen checks at border checkpoints, increase patrols and enhance CCTV surveillance to curb such illegal activities.
