Bootlegger arrested with duty free liquor in Bengaluru

A bootlegger was arrested in Bengaluru for attempting to sell foreign liquor online amid lockdown. Roshan Bhateja accumulated duty free foreign liquor overtime right before lockdown and was attempting to sell the bottles at triple the price.

Bengaluru:A 31-year-old bootlegger was arrested here for attempting to sell foreign liquor through a Facebook page amid lockdown, a police official said on Tuesday.

"We contacted Roshan Bhateja through a Facebook page undercover and deposited some money for the delivery. As he came to deliver the liquor on Palace Road near the French Consulate, we arrested him," told Central Crime Branch (CCB) Deputy Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Jain.

Bhateja accumulated duty free foreign liquor overtime right before lockdown and is attempting to make a killing selling the bottles at triple the price.

Some of the 24 seized liquor bottles included Scotch whisky Laphroaig, Ballantine's, Cardhu, Teacher's, 100 Pipers, Johnnie Walker, Balvenie, Black & White and others.

"We arrested him red handed as he came in a car to deliver the illegal liquor," said Jain.

Police also seized an orange Hyundai i10 car, KA 01 MM 5305, and an iPhone 11.

According to Jain, Bhateja works as a financial and garment consultant in the city, living on Palace Road near Mount Carmel College and Shangri-La hotel.

Jain said the accused will be quarantined and later sent to judicial custody.

Sandeep Patil, Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, tweeted, "While some continue to attempt to sell things prohibited in lockdownaCCB continues to raid themaaccused arrested selling liquor bottlesa24 high end bottles seized."

IANS REPORT