Excise to intensify drive against Illicit liquor

KOCHI: In the wake of the recent increase in the supply of illicit liquor and Indian made foreign liquor in toddy shops, the Excise Department is closely monitoring the functioning of the toddy shops on the outskirts of the city. The Excise Department had seized 364 litres of illicit liquor and 47 litres of IMFL from 11 taluks in the district on Wednesday. Since the arrival of the Christmas season, the Excise Department will intensify checking in rural areas. According to Excise Deputy Commissioner K Mohanan, the toddy shops are brewing illicit liquor which is later supplied to the shops in the city. “There are intelligence reports that many toddy shops are brewing illicit liquor and IMFL in the remote parts of Kothamangalam. The Excise enforcement squad has been monitoring such illegal activities for the past several days. We arrested 12 persons from various parts of the district this week. More raids will be conducted to counter such illegal activities,”  Mohanan said.   According to Excise sources, the demand for hooch and IMFL has gone up as Christmas is approaching. “The sale of hooch and IMFL will double during Christmas. The illegal liquor is made in remote areas and sold through toddy shops. Special squads will be formed with the Revenue, Excise, Forest and police officials to put a tab on illegal activities." "The Excise Department will strengthen vigil against transportation of spirit and illicit liquor this month. The squad is keeping a 24-hour vigil on checkposts so that spirit is not transported from other districts," Mohanan said. In addition to this, toddy shops will be monitored to prevent the sale of illicit liquor,” Excise sources said.