Excise sleuths in Kottayam seized 1,854 litres of banned Ayurvedic medicines, meant for sale as cheap substitute for alcohol.
Acting on a tip-off, an Excise team led by Special Squad Circle Inspector Noorudhin, raided a godown near Puthuppally and seized the substance comprising 1,456.2 litres of ‘Arishtam’ and 397.8 litres of ‘Asavam’ containing alcohol. The raid was held as a follow up to the seizure of 21.15 litres of the substance from the possession of one Abraham last week.
A case has been registered against the owner of the godown-Sugathan and his son Praful.
According to officials, the seized substance was meant for sale through Ayurveda medical shops that do not possess the licence to stock Ayurvedic preparations containing alcohol. Such unauthorised outlets mix it with spirit and sell it to consumers looking for a cheap high, they said.
As Kottayam prepares to revel in the Christmas-New Year celebrations, Excise officials have been on their toes to counter the potential rise in such banned substances to the district.
Month-long drive
In view of the festival season ahead, the Department launched a month long special drive comprising patrols, special check-ups and intelligence collection. Further, patrolling of vehicles has been intensified along key roads, especially during nights in addition to surveillance at railway stations and inspection of inter-State vehicles.
