Excise nabs 760 liters of illegal spirit in tank hidden underground of a toddy shop in Aluva

Aluva: Excise team seized 760 litres of illegal spirit from a toddy shop near Mangalapuzha bridge in Aluva. The officials also found 1.650 kg of Ceylon paste and 270 gm of sacharin used to make toddy. The spirit, kept hidden in an underground tank constructed inside the toddy shop, was not seen from outside. 

The officials arrested Abhishek Salindran (26) and Varghese (76), both North Paravoor natives. PK Sunil, licensee is absconding. 

Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing to nab other culprits including Antony, Jibi and Rajeev. The inspection was led by CI T Anikumar based on intelligence received by the State Excise Enforcement Squad. The spirit is illegally stored to be used with the toddy. The excise team was shocked by how the spirit was kept. The tank made of PVC was buried underground in a room covered with walls on all four sides. 

The spirit was transferred to-and-fro using two motors. The room was kept hidden from the outside by filling it with scrap materials. The excise team arrived for inspection on Thursday night. The accused were produced before the Aluva Judicial First Class Magistrate Court and remanded.