KOCHI: Excise Minister MB Rajesh's directive to increase vigilance at check posts as spirit smuggling into the state is on the rise again. The action follows Kerala Kaumudi news that more than four lakh litres of spirit were delivered and distributed in Kochi in a year and a half.
Checking has not been as strict as before at check posts post-covid. Containers were loaded with tires or fodder on top for coverup before smuggling. The lorries used to pass the check posts by showing the GST bill for fodder. Excise recovered several bills from the godown at Edappally Unnichira.
The containers filled with spirit were delivered by the notorious Mysore goon Raj Manikandan in Taurus lorries for the erstwhile spirit king of middle Kerala for one and a half years.
The godown was located at Kummenchery Arcade at the busy Unnichira junction on the Edappally - Muvattupuzha road. The godown was taken on a monthly rent of Rs 50,000 two years ago in the building of a native of Malappuram.
Spirit and money in the pick-up vehicle on the way
According to the instructions received on the phone, the pick-up vehicle with spirit containers will be parked at a specified place with the key. A stranger will take the vehicle. Hours later, there will be money inside the pick-up vehicle that will be delivered back to the same spot. No one who handled the spirit knew who was on the other side.
Excise is trying to find the location where the spirit was transferred to other vehicles. The three people who were arrested are the owners and drivers of the two pickups in the godown. The three people who managed the warehouse were also arrested.
Bottled spirits too
This case also has the feature that for the first time in the history of spirit smuggling to Kerala, the spirit was delivered to the needy in cases in one-litre bottles. The group had such a well-prepared network.
'The main accused will be arrested soon. The investigation will extend to all aspects of the Spirit case'
B Tenimon
Assistant Excise Commissioner
Ernakulam