Excise seizes 400 sachets of illicit liquor

Aimed to be sold to A’pura devotees

The Bureau of Special Operations (BSO) of the Excise Department, stationed in the Anuradhapura District, successfully thwarted the sale of 400 sachets of Kassippu (illicit liquor) aimed to be sold to the devotees on the Poson Poya Day.

On information received, BSO officials nabbed a suspect who was in possession of a sack containing 400 sachets of Kassippu to be sold to devotees that flock the sacred city of Anuradhapura.

According to Excise sources, each polythene sachet contained a quarter bottle of Kassippu and was priced at Rs.100.

BSO OIC Inspector G.N. Hemantha told Daily Mirror the statements issued by the suspects under interrogation led to the raid of three other venues where illicit liquor was brewed. Since the beginning of the Poson Week

According to Excise sources, each polythene sachet contained a quarter bottle of Kassippu and was priced at Rs.100

from June 5, the BSO has raided ten illegal distilleries and nabbed ten suspects. They have seized a total of 11 barrels of Goda (semibrewed liquor), ten copper coils and 200 litres of spirits from these dens.

The detections were made mainly in Shrawasthipura in close proximity to Anuradhapura. All suspects will be produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate on June 23.

The special unit is conducting further inquiries on the instructions of Excise Commissioner General Ariyadasa Bodaragama.