Steep rise in IMFL smuggling in Palakkad

PALAKKAD: The intelligence wing of state excise department has informed the government that the smuggling of spirit and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) from Mahe, Pondicherry and Goa to areas in and around Palakkad district is on the rise. According to officials, the rise is apparent after the closure of bars following the new liquor policy of the state.
On Sunday, 125 bottles of IMFL brought in a car was seized by excise officials here.On Saturday, 300 litres of spirit was seized from a coconut grove at Chittur. Liquor hauls were also reported from other parts of the district as well as Thrissur and Thiruvalla during the last two weeks.
Deputy commissioner of excise K A Nelson said the number of incidents of smuggling spirit and IMFL as well as illicit distillation of arrack have gone up recently. The excise Department has constituted a special squad to be deployed at the inter-state borders of the district. A striking team was also constituted to look into the complaints of illegal activities and reach the crime spot immediately to initiate necessary action.
A proposal for a special excise division in Chittur with a dozen officers was sent to the government for approval as the areas of Palakkad that shares the border with Tamil Nadu needs special attention. However, the proposal is pending with the government, Nelson said.
Smuggled hard liquor, known as seconds' here is being brought illegally to the state by a network of suppliers by vehicles to make quick money. Sources in the excise department said the situation is alarming as it will create a parallel supply chain of smuggled liquor in the state. Also, the state will be robbed of its revenue.
The agents deliver any quantity of IMFL on order, in any part of the state. They transport it by road or train. They were instances of smugglers bringing liquor to the state in two-wheelers.
Around 300 bars were closed this year and 418 were closed last year following the new liquor policy of the state government. Majority of the closed bars are now converted to beer and wine parlours. The state has issued licences to 700 beer and wine parlours till date, of which more than 650 are operational. Of the 300 bar hotels closed this year, 201 were converted to beer and wine parlours and out of the 418 bar hotels closed last year, 374 have become beer and wine parlours. Around 125 licences for parlours were issued prior to the closure of bars in the state.