KOCHI: Mango frooti has been spotted in the hands of migrant labourers, who are often seen camping in Kaloor in search of jobs. The excise officials who came to investigate the frooti sale, conducted way before the opening of shops, got their answers at the house of Muthupandi (Palpandi), a native of Tamil Nadu’s Kolanchi, who lives on rent in Manapattiparambu. It was only later that the officials realized the migrant labourers’ love for frooti. What Palpandi, along with his wife’s help, filled in the frooti bottles was nothing but Jawan rum. He mixed turmeric powder with cheap liquor and sold it in frooti bottles for Rs 50 each. The energy drink was sold under the name ‘sharbat shake’.

Sale by aide

Palpandi is a contractor who provides labourers for building construction and other works. Lately, he turned to liquor sale. The liquor mix, made at his home, are filled in bottles and brought behind a toddy shop adjoining Kaloor bus depot.

All the sales are done by his confidante, who directly sells the liquor to customers. On running out of stock, he will inform Palpandi, who will bring the bottles. The aide has also been nabbed by the excise team.

Liquor sent for test

In the morning, the duo will collect frooti bottles thrown away by people, under the pretext of going for a walk. Later, the bottles will be washed and cleaned thoroughly. The sticker on the bottles will not be removed. If you see their liquor mix, you will think it is mango juice. Palpandi's mixed liquor has been sent to the chemical lab for testing. His real formula will be known only when the result comes.