Palakkad: The Excise Department is conducting a jumbo auction of vehicles seized while transporting narcotics and other intoxicating substances in the state. The vehicles being sold are those taken into custody under the Abkari Act and the NDPS Act, and cleared for sale with court permission.

Excise officials said most of the vehicles listed for auction are from 2017 onwards. They are currently kept at various Excise circle and range offices, as well as police station premises. Some were initially seized by the police and later handed over to the Excise Department for further proceedings.

The list includes luxury cars as well as tempos, mini-lorries, jeeps, autorickshaws, motorcycles, bikes, and scooters. The authorities aim to complete the auction process by February 27.

Vehicles without engine numbers or proper documentation will be sold at scrap value. Many of the vehicles had been structurally modified with secret compartments and hidden spaces to conceal drugs.

Buyers will be required to remove such modifications as part of the purchase agreement, and the cost of removal must be borne by them. Some of the vehicles also have pending tax dues.