End of the road for Balapitiya’s hooch dens

Rasika Somarathna

Excise Sleuths of the Southern Special Detection Bureau has busted eight illegal breweries and three hooch dens in the Balapitiya area taking into custody 11 suspects along with brewing equipment and illicit liquor worth over Rs. 2.5 million.

According to Excise sources these illegal breweries were located in the banks of Randombe Ela which is being considered as a major branch of Madu Ganga. The illegal brewing process which releases harmful substances has also posed a threat to the immediate environment by causing extensive damage to mangroves and tropical fish in the area, sources said.

During the raid officers have taken into custody 35 liters of moonshine, 1,360 liters of Goda, 20 barrels, nine copper coils and a substantial amount of ammonia.

According to Excise sources the suspects had been running a thriving business selling their produce mainly to areas such as Balapitiya, Ada Dola, Seenigoda and Kandegoda areas. The suspects who were released on Rs. 50,000 excise fines each will be produced before courts shortly, Excise sources said.

The raid has been carried out according to a complaint received by Commissioner General of Excise D.G.M.V. Hapuarachchi and under the instructions of Senior Officers D.A. Dayarathne and Dheera Gunesekera.

Officers Jayantha De Silva, T. Mendis and Assistants V. Hemapala, S. Nuwan, K. Jayakody, S. Kumara and A. Kalyanapriya also took part in the raid.