KAYAMKULAM: A former Excise official who was involved in making spurious liquor in a rented house near Kareelakulangara Maliyekkal junction was arrested by Kollam Excise Special squad.

480 litre spurious liquor, fake labels of various brands and fake hologram stickers were recovered. Two others who tried to sell illegal liquor were also arrested in Kollam.

The former excise official who got arrested is Kayamkulam Kappil Kizhakku Marangattu Vadakkathil Hari John (51).

Kallum Thazham native Rahul (27) and Kizhakke Kallada native Sanjayan (42) are the others who got arrested.

Equipment and other ingredients used for making the liquor were also seized. The illegal production center functioned under the pretext of distilled water outlet.

Haris John had been suspended from service in 2004 following the finding of his link with Spirit lobby.