Bantwal:  3 vendors with illicit liquor worth Rs 10 lac were rounded up at Punjalkatte, by Bantwal rural police, helped in a joint operation by Punjalkatte police.

Bhoja Bhandary, Afeeq and Riyaz were caught but the last two are from Kerala.

On Monday, Riyaz and Afeeq went in a Maruti Alto from Bantwal to Dharmasthala. The Bantwal police followed this car under suspicion. The Punjalkatte police were informed to trace and stop the car to catch the two passengers.

During interrogation, they told about Bhoja, who had stored liquor on his land. That completed the picture.

The seized liquor was brought form Goa by Bhoja, and the other two wanted to transport it to Kerala for profits.

Police captured a 407 tempo and an Eicher lorry from Punjalkatte at Bhoja’s place. Puttur ASP Anuchet guided the police operations.