It appears that there is frustration among alcohol consumers in Andhra Pradesh regarding the availability and pricing of popular liquor brands.
The government has made government-run liquor shops free of popular brands and has imposed restrictions on payment methods, requiring cash instead of digital payments.
This has led to some people seeking liquor from neighboring states and the involvement of smugglers bringing in bottles from Delhi and Haryana.
Reports suggest that software engineers, such as Leela Kumar from Vijayawada, have recognized the demand for premium liquor brands in Andhra Pradesh and have started smuggling bottles from Delhi and Haryana.
They have formed agreements with truck drivers and have been discreetly bringing in the bottles hidden under their loads. These expensive brands, including Johnnie Walker, Gold Label, Black Label, Double Black, Jameson, and Black Dog, are in high demand but are rarely available in the state.
The pricing of liquor in Andhra Pradesh is reported to be higher compared to other states, resulting in higher profits for smugglers who sell these brands at inflated prices.
Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) officials have been seizing such bottles and have noted the involvement of smugglers in bringing and selling these brands in the state.
