Nearly 4,000 kilograms of banned tobacco products and narcotic substances were seized and 31 persons, including two Keralites, were taken into custody during a surprise raid by the Excise Department at the migrant labour camps in Ernakulam here on Sunday.
The raids, code-named ‘Operation Bhai’, began at 5 a.m. and lasted about eight hours. ..Excise officers, divided into 38 teams and supported by nine police units took part in the operation, held under the supervision of Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh.
The raids, focussing on migrant workers allegedly involved in smuggling of banned tobacco products, were carried out in Aluva, Angamaly, Perumbavoor, and Muvattupuzha simultaneously. In addition to banned tobacco products, the raids also yielded a huge volume of ‘Bengal Beedis,’ three grams of brown sugar, 500 grams of ganja, and five bottles of Indian made foreign liquor.
Tip-off
The raids followed a tip-off on rackets trafficking banned products, cheap quality ganja and other psychotropic drugs aboard inter-State trains.
The contraband is mainly distributed among migrant labourers camping in Ernakulam, regarded as the hub of migrant workers in Kerala.
Officials said the bulk of the tobacco products seized from four godowns at Mudikkal, Kandanthara, Kuttamassery, and Vallam. The raids also covered several retails stores functioning in the region.
Mr. Singh told media persons that a meeting of mobile service providers and related officials would be convened in Ernakulam on July 22 to facilitate easier access to mobile tower locations and call details which would help investigations.
The Government would be approached for starting de-addiction centres under the department. Awareness classes too would be held.
He said Railways had now agreed to allow Excise officers on railway station premises for inspection.
31 persons were taken into custody during Excise Department raids in Ernakulam district
The raids, code-named ‘Operation Bhai’, began at 5 a.m. and lasted about eight hours. ..Excise officers, divided into 38 teams and supported by nine police units took part in the operation, held under the supervision of Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh.
The raids, focussing on migrant workers allegedly involved in smuggling of banned tobacco products, were carried out in Aluva, Angamaly, Perumbavoor, and Muvattupuzha simultaneously. In addition to banned tobacco products, the raids also yielded a huge volume of ‘Bengal Beedis,’ three grams of brown sugar, 500 grams of ganja, and five bottles of Indian made foreign liquor.
Tip-off
The raids followed a tip-off on rackets trafficking banned products, cheap quality ganja and other psychotropic drugs aboard inter-State trains.
The contraband is mainly distributed among migrant labourers camping in Ernakulam, regarded as the hub of migrant workers in Kerala.
Officials said the bulk of the tobacco products seized from four godowns at Mudikkal, Kandanthara, Kuttamassery, and Vallam. The raids also covered several retails stores functioning in the region.
Mr. Singh told media persons that a meeting of mobile service providers and related officials would be convened in Ernakulam on July 22 to facilitate easier access to mobile tower locations and call details which would help investigations.
The Government would be approached for starting de-addiction centres under the department. Awareness classes too would be held.
He said Railways had now agreed to allow Excise officers on railway station premises for inspection.
31 persons were taken into custody during Excise Department raids in Ernakulam district