Nearly 4,000 kilograms of banned tobacco products and narcotic substances were seized and 31 persons, including two Keralites, were taken into custody during a surprise raid by the Excise Department at the migrant labour camps in Ernakulam here on Sunday.
The raids, code-named Operation Bhai, began at 5 a.m. and lasted about eight hours. Excise officers, divided into 38 teams and supported by nine police units took part in the operation, held under the supervision of Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh. The raids were carried out in Aluva, Angamaly, Perumbavoor, and Muvattupuzha simultaneously.
‘Bengal Beedis’
In addition to banned tobacco products, the raids also yielded a huge volume of ‘Bengal Beedis,’ three grams of brown sugar, 500 grams of ganja, and five bottles of Indian made foreign liquor.
The raids followed a tip-off on rackets trafficking banned products, cheap quality ganja and other psychotropic drugs aboard inter-State trains.
Officials said the bulk of the tobacco products seized from four godowns at Mudikkal, Kandanthara, Kuttamassery, and Vallam. Mr. Singh told mediapersons that a meeting of mobile service providers and related officials would be convened in Ernakulam on July 22 to facilitate easier access to mobile tower locations and call details which would help investigations.
He said Railways had now agreed to allow Excise officers on railway station premises for inspection.
Change in rules likely
Mr. Singh said that moves are afoot to give stringent punishment to ganja peddlers who bring in small quantities. “The offence is non-bailable if the substance caught is beyond one kg and hence, they bring it in packets of 500 or 750 grams,” he said, adding the Centre is being apprised to change it.
