The Excise department and police have registered 493 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases in Alappuzha in the last three-and-a-half months.
Between September 1 and December 17, 65.35 grams of MDMA, a psychotropic drug, were seized from various locations in the district.
Alappuzha Deputy Excise Commissioner P.K. Jayaraj said that multiple raids were conducted, leading to the seizure of narcotic drugs. The excise alone registered 275 NDPS cases during the period, seizing 24.42 kg of ganja, 0.68 grams of hashish oil, 376 grams of nitrazepam tablets, 7.66 grams of MDMA, 3.55 grams of charas, 31.64 grams of methamphetamine and eight ganja plants. The department arrested 473 people and seized six vehicles in connection with the cases.
The police, meanwhile, registered 218 NDPS cases during the period. It seized 57.69 grams of MDMA, 26.65 grams of ganja, 109.69 grams of heroin, 65 nitrazepam tablets and 243.86 grams of hashish oil.
Officials said the NDPS cases had been on the rise in the district compared to previous months. The Excise department registered 348 NDPS cases in Alappuzha between December 2023 and August 2024.
In addition to NDPS cases, 470 Abkari cases were registered by the excise, resulting in the seizure of 324.5 litres of arrack, 1178.33 litres of Indian-made foreign liquor, 2,282.5 litres of wash, 23.5 litres of toddy, 18 litres of spurious liquor and 18.75 litres of beer in the last three-and-a-half months. A total of 24 vehicles were seized and fines amounting to ₹3.48 lakh were imposed. Between December 2023 and August 2024, the department registered 948 Abkari cases.
Besides the NDPS and Abkari cases, the authorities registered 2,010 Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) cases between September 2024 and December.
Meanwhile, the excise and police have intensified the special drive to prevent the brewing and sale of illicit liquor and drug trafficking during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The drive, which will continue until January 4, includes enhanced patrolling and raids at Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus stands, Punnamada Houseboat Terminal, beaches, carnival venues and other places. Night vehicle checks, interstate vehicle inspections, and train searches have also been strengthened.
Published – December 22, 2024 06:06 pm IST