The Hindu : Major hooch haul near Peechi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 13, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Major hooch haul near Peechi

By Our Staff Reporter

THRISSUR AUG. 12. In a major operation, the Excise Department seized 42,000 litres of wash and 1,100 litres of illegally distilled arrack at Elangikunnu in the Mandhamangalam reserve forests, near Peechi, this afternoon. The five-member group engaged in the distillation of illicit arrack made good its escape after throwing two country bombs at the Excise party, which in turn opened fire in the air.

According to the Assistant Excise Commissioner (AEC), G Yasodharan, the Excise party reached the spot at Elangikunnu at 12 noon and seized about 42,000 litres of wash and 1,100 litres of illegally distilled arrack, both totalling Rs 36.10 lakhs in the clandestine market. Also, 20 kg of ammonium chloride, one loaded country gun, ammunition, 500 gm of the pesticide, `Kurnai', a handsaw, 250 gm of gun powder, an axe, different types of knives, a search light and four torch lights were seized. The Excise party found seven trench-like structures with rocks as bounds for storing wash covered with tarpaulin. They also found two pipelines, one carrying water and another carrying wash. The party destroyed distilling apparatus worth Rs. 20,000.

Two dogs present with the group barked after spotting the party and soon the group made good its escape. The gun and other ammunition have been surrendered to the Peechi police for further action.

The Excise party comprised P K Suresh and K A Jose, Circle Inspectors, T Radhakrishnan and K N Sureshkumar, Excise Inspectors, two preventive officers and 14 Excise guards, besides the AEC.

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