The Excise Department seized a total of 11.5 kilograms of the alcohol-laced ice cream and registered a case against the accused.
Published Sep 06, 2024 | 6:17 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 06, 2024 | 6:17 PM
Excise Department seizes whiskey-laced ice cream in Hyderabad. (Supplied)
In a significant bust, Hyderabad’s Excise Enforcement Police raided an ice cream parlour in the upscale Jubilee Hills area for selling whiskey-laced ice cream.
The incident came to light when the Excise Department team raided Ariko Cafe Ice Cream Parlour on roads 1 and 5 in the Jubilee Hills area of the city on Friday, 6 September.
The department uncovered that the ice cream parlour was selling ice cream infused with 100 Pipers whiskey to unsuspecting customers, including children. The Excise Department seized a total of 23 pieces of whiskey-infused ice cream weighing 11.5 kilograms. Following this, a case was registered against the accused.
The team expressed grave concern over the trend of disguising intoxicants in everyday consumables like ice cream, which poses a serious risk to public health, especially to young people.
The police have invoked Section 34A of the Excise Act, which prohibits the sale of alcohol to minors. “Selling alcohol-based products to children is a serious violation, and strict action will follow,” stated Pradeep Rao.
The illegal operation came to light during an inspection led by Excise Superintendent Pradeep Rao and his STF team. Officials found that the owners were mixing 60 ml of whiskey into each kilogram of ice cream and selling it at exorbitant prices.
The parlour is being operated by Sharath Chandra Reddy, and is being run with the help of Dayakar Reddy, and Shobhan. They had even advertised the product on Facebook to lure more customers, particularly youth and children, said the Excise Department.
The #Telangana Excise Department has uncovered an unusual and illegal practice at Ariko Cafe in Jubilee Hills, #Hyderabad, where whiskey-laced ice cream was being sold.
Excise officials arrested the cafe owner, Dayakar Reddy, and ice cream store owner, Shobhan, for selling ice… pic.twitter.com/JUyiOFCrEh
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) September 6, 2024
Further investigations are ongoing, with the authorities keen to crack down on similar operations in the city.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
