Excise strengthens border vigil to stop influx of liquor from TN

Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Excise Department’s anti-narcotic enforcement squad has launched an operation to stop the influx of enormous portions of liquor into the district from Tamil Nadu liquor retailers performing on the border. The division has additionally urged TN to shut liquor retailers at border areas.After the state authorities ordered the closure of bars and Bevco retailers as a part of the restrictions imposed to include the surge in Covid circumstances on Monday,  there was a rush on the border retailers together with in Kannamamoodu, Panachamoodu and Kozhivila. Private wine outlets in TN are additionally cashing in on the chance by promoting liquor at exorbitant costs — up by Rs 50-100 per bottle.

Sources mentioned folks from even the northern a part of Thiruvananthapuram are coming to the border factors the place TN retailers are open. Officers have additionally been deployed in mufti to nab offenders.G Harikrishna Pillai, assistant excise commissioner of the enforcement and anti-narcotic particular squad, advised TNIE that 4 models of the excise staff have been deployed to examine automobiles, scooters and different automobiles. “The inspectors at various checkposts have been instructed to check every vehicle. Patrolling will also be intensified to ensure there is no further flow of liquor into the state,” he mentioned.

The excise has additionally stepped up vigil to stop the supply of illicit liquor at coastal and high-range areas. The division has fashioned three cellular hanging models for surveillance in such areas. The tribal belts can even be monitored, the excise mentioned. Separate bike squads can be deployed to cowl district borders and roads in distant areas. Joint inspections with the assist of Tamil Nadu police are additionally prone to be carried out.

Five litres seizedT’Puram: The Excise squad on Wednesday seized 5 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor transported from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. Santhosh Kumar, 42, who has been arrested, had reportedly hid the liquor below his scooter seat whereas crossing Palakkadavu check-post at Neyyattinkara. It was later discovered that the liquor was purchased from Tamil Nadu authorities liquor retailers.