Kerala’s Bevco outlets recorded Rs 232.99 crore in liquor sales in three days during Onam, while Operation Toofaan has registered 9,345 cases and made 10,085 arrests.
Onam-season liquor sales through Kerala State Beverages Corporation outlets reached Rs 232.99 crore in three days, while the ongoing Operation Toofaan drug crackdown has led to thousands of cases and arrests.
Bevco records Rs 232.99 crore sales
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Thiruvananthapuram: With Operation Toofaan intensifying against drugs, Onam-season liquor sales at Beverages Corporation outlets have increased sharply.
Liquor worth Rs 232.99 crore was sold through Bevco outlets in just three days, from August 18 to August 20. During the corresponding first three days of the previous Onam season, sales stood at Rs 209.89 crore.
This represents an increase of Rs 23.1 crore compared with the same period last year.
Police link rise in liquor sales to drug crackdown
A senior police official said the increase in liquor sales could indicate that some people who are unable to obtain drugs following Operation Toofaan are turning to alcohol.
However, the sales figures by themselves do not establish the reason for the increase in liquor consumption.
According to the current figures, the Perinthalmanna outlet recorded the highest sales at Rs 90 lakh. It was followed by the Tirur outlet with Rs 78 lakh, while Chalakudy and Cherthala recorded sales of Rs 62 lakh each.
Operation Toofaan cases cross 9,000
Meanwhile, the number of cases registered as part of Operation Toofaan has reached 9,345. A total of 10,085 arrests have been made so far.
The operation has also resulted in the seizure of 8,289.879 grams of MDMA, 1,032.175 kg of ganja and 515.687 grams of heroin.
What the figures show
The figures come as Kerala steps up enforcement against the illegal drug trade during the Onam season. Operation Toofaan has resulted in thousands of cases and arrests, along with significant seizures of synthetic and other drugs.
At the same time, Bevco outlets have recorded higher liquor sales during the first three days of the Onam season compared with the corresponding period last year.
The police assessment that the two trends are connected remains an official claim rather than a conclusion established by the sales data. Other factors, including seasonal demand and changes in purchasing patterns, could also influence liquor sales.
Published: 24 Aug 2026, 07:40 am IST
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