The Customs department confiscated 255 cartons of unauthorised foreign liquor from the duty-free shop at the Cochin International Airport on Saturday.
Foreign liquor is usually brought to the airport in containers imported from foreign countries in ships. Based on a tip-off that the container was carrying more than the declared quantity of 1,120 cases, the customs department set out on a lightning check.
It is for the first time that the airport duty-free shop has been put under the scanner.
The official said that an inquiry has been ordered into the violation, and the goods arriving at the duty-free shop will be under regular check.