KOCHI
The Excise State Enforcement Squad have seized 8,500 litres of spirit in two separate operations and arrested three persons in the city. The arrested are Baiju aka Kuttappai, 50, of Thammanam, Sam Jamal, 38, and N.V. Kurian, 65, of Kaloor. The operations began with the interception of a truck carrying what was claimed to be sanitisers to Idukki following a tip-off at Kalamassery around 9 p.m. However, instead of sanitisers, excise officials found 1,400 litres of spirit kept in 40 cans concealed in carton boxes. “The interrogation of the two persons in the truck led us to a paint godown in the industrial area of Edayar later in the night. We found a secret chamber, where over 7,000 litres of spirit kept in 203 cans was found,” said B. Tenymon, assistant excise commissioner, Ernakulam. Kurian, who was on the run since Wednesday, was arrested from his house on Thursday afternoon. However, he was admitted to a hospital following physical discomfort. Excise sleuths also seized a sackful of labels of multiple brands of Indian Made Foreign Liquor, triggering suspicion that the spirit could have been used for making adulterated liquor that is commonly known as ‘seconds’ in the liquor industry. “That the godown was in an industrial area, where hundreds of vehicles move in and out daily, gave them the perfect cover for transporting spirit drawing little attention,” said P.V. Aleyas, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Ernakulam. Samples of the liquor will be sent to the Regional Chemical Examiner’s Laboratory at Kakkanad for testing. Further details like the source of spirit, how long the illegal practice had been under way, and whether more people are involved are likely to be revealed soon, said officials. The racket has been reportedly on the radar of the excise department for a while. The Aluva excise range has registered a case invoking Section 55 of the Abkari Act.
