The Excise department will intensify checks and patrol in Wayanad ahead of Onam, particularly in areas bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, to prevent smuggling of narcotic substances and illicit liquor.

Officials said joint inspections involving multiple government departments would be conducted at check posts along the district’s borders.

A district-level Excise public committee meeting held recently decided to intensify enforcement ahead of Onam celebrations. The meeting called for stringent measures to prevent the smuggling and use of narcotic substances and the manufacture of illicit liquor.

Excise officials said intensive inspections would be conducted at various places, including Adivasi settlements, to curb the manufacture and the sale of illicit liquor. Schools and colleges will remain under surveillance to check the sale of narcotic products.

Officials said ward-level public awareness committees would be strengthened along with organising awareness programmes with public participation. Strict action would also be taken on complaints received from the public, they said.

Cases registered

According to Excise officials, 623 Abkari cases, 397 narcotics cases, and 2,566 cases under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) were registered in the district during inspections conducted over the past month.

A total of 5,157 raids were conducted during the period, including 31 campaign raids carried out in coordination with various departments.

The seizures included 109 litres of illicit liquor, 2,451 litres of Indian-made foreign liquor, 333 litres of foreign liquor transported from other States, 1,792 litres of wash, 11 litres of beer, 3.75 litres of wine, and 47 litres of ‘Arishtam’.

Excise officials seized 13 cannabis plants, 19.65 kg of ganja, 55.17 grams of hybrid ganja, 138.58 grams of MDMA, and 4.54 kg of tobacco products.

Thirty-five vehicles were seized in connection with various Abkari and narcotics cases during the period. Officials said ₹3.72 crore in cash being transported without valid documents was seized, and further action was initiated.

Published - August 22, 2026 08:20 pm IST