Excise Dept. conducts over 24,000 raids to nab toxic hooch

The Excise department has conducted 24,150 raids throughout the country during the first six months of this year under its programme to minimize life risks through the elimination of illicit liquor.

These raids have been carried out under the charges of brewing illicit liquor, possession of such liquor, possession of illegally distilled spirits, possession of distillery equipment, sale of illicit liquor and illegal sale of foreign liquor, Excise Commissioner General H.G. Sumanasinghe said.

In 2018, the Excise Department had carried out 49,312 raids. A revenue of LKR 253 million was generated through fines and the monies have been credited to the relevant Provincial Councils.

The Excise revenue in 2014 was recorded at LKR 69 billion and in 2019, the department has set a target of LKR 130 billion. However, the Excise department has already collected LKR 68 billion at the end of July this year, official statistics from the department showed.

11 dead in Mirigama

It was reported that 11 persons had died after consuming illicit alcohol from a local tavern in Banduragoda, Mirigama last Thursday (07). After consuming locally made toxic alcohol, many people have been admitted to hospitals since they had sustained similar symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of eyesight.

Police said parts of body organs of deceased persons have been sent to the Government Analyst for further investigations. The suspect who brew the illicit liquor has been taken into custody by police.

More branches island wide

The Excise Department, under the instructions of Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has beefed up efforts to eradicate the illicit alcohol trade. As such, more than 1200 officers have been deployed at 56 branch offices throughout the island.

The Department has also established five special operation units which are empowered to carry out raids in any part of the country to control the illicit liquor trade as well narcotics.

The officers attached to these special units have the authority to conduct special operations in any part of the island and their main task is to subjugate illegal liquor rackets, a senior official said.