Alappuzha: The Excise department seized at least 64kg ganja in the last five months from the district. The Deputy Excise commissioner, N. S Salimkumar, said that the Police and Excise would jointly carry out raids in the district. Active squads have been formed and all the officials have been put on alert. The latest data provided by the Excise department says 527 abkari cases and 102 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act were registered. Over 154.5 litres of arrack, 658 litres of foreign liquor, 3940 litres of ash and over 141 litres of beer were among the illegally traded products confiscated by the officials during the raids.
As many as 41 vehicles were seized. More than 99 cases under COPTA (Cigarette and other products of tobacco) Act were registered and 626 people were arrested for violation of rules. As many as 274 cases were registered for drinking in public places. At least Rs 1.95 lakh was collected as fines. Medical stores are also under close watch to track down illegal sale of psychotropic substances. A 24-hour control room has been opened to track down violations of the Abkari Act. Apart from regular checking at railway stations, coastal areas and other places in association with the railway and coastal police, the shadow excise wing will also be engaged to curb the trade and transportation of illicit liquor and other intoxicants.
