KOCHI:The Excise Department had launched a special project titled “Operation Moonshine” to prevent the illegal sales and production of liquor in the district. The special project was launched in the wake of the closing down of bars in the state after the new liquor policy came into fore.
According to the Excise Department officials, chances are high that illicit brewing of liquor is happening in the state as almost all the bars have been turned into beer and wine parlours. Excise Deputy Commissioner P Jayarajan said that the special drive, which will last till July 15, will mainly concentrate on carrying out lightning inspections at areas where there is a possibility of illegal sales of liquor.
“We will carry out frequent raids at the toddy shops, beer and wine parlours, beverages corporation outlets, ayurvedic shops, which sell ‘Arishtam’, and the units that produced them,” he said.
As per the new liquor policy of the UDF government, bars at the Five Star Hotels and the government-run Bevco outlets can only sell Indian-made Foreign Liquor. All the other bars have been given the license to only sell beer and wine.
As part of the ‘Operation Moonshine’ drive, two striking forces were formed by the Excise Department at two zones in Ernakulam district. These units will work round the clock. A control room has been opened at the division office of the Excise Department in Ernakulam. A joint operation drive is also planned by the Police-Excise-Revenue and forest departments to prevent the usage of addictive drugs, the sale of illicit liquor, drinking in public places, producing wine in large scale without authorised license and keeping of liquor more than the volume stipulated by the Excise Department.
The inspection will be carried out jointly by the officials at these areas. The night patrolling and checking of vehicles will also be intensified. Those who want to tip off the Excise Department on illicit brewing can contact: Excise Deputy Commissioner- 0484-2390657, Assistant Excise Commissioner-0484-2627480 and the district control room- 0484-2390657, 9447178059.
Toddy Shop Raided
A raid was carried out at a toddy shop in Edanad by the Excise Department on Tuesday. 378 litres of spurious toddy was seized in the raid.
The spurious toddy had been stored at another room in the shop. As per the stock register records, only 40 litres of toddy had to be available in the shop, but during the raid the excise officials came upon the excess volume.
According to the officials, they have taken the salesman of the shop, Mathayi, into custody. They are also searching for the licensee.
