Six large scale moonshine producing plants busted

Rasika Somarathna

Southern Excise Sleuths has busted six large scale moonshine producing plants, hidden in several islands in the Madu Ganga in the Balapitiya area, which has been declared as a sanctuary and a world heritage site, due to its unique bio-diversity features.

The Madu Ganga which consists of 64 islands is also considered as a Ramsay wetland and has the reputation of being the breeding ground for many endangered species of plants and animals.

According to Excise sources the activities carried out by these illegal brewers using harmful chemicals, wood fire and using the river bed to store barrels containing illegal spirits, has contaminated the environment, threatening the existence of several endangered species of plants and animals.

During raids on the islands identified as Pathamulla, Owilana, Magaladuwa and Adadola, officers have taken into custody six people along with a large haul of moonshine, illegal spirits and other accessories valued at over Rs. one million.

This includes 4050 litres of goda, 25 barrels, six copper coils, 20,300 ml of illegal spirits and other brewing accessories.

According to Excise sources, a lucrative business had been in operation for some time, with the produce mainly being distributed to areas such as Balapitiya and Ambalangoda, but had heightened their activities lately with the expectation of increasing their sale during the upcoming festive season.

The suspects are to be produced befor courts shortly.

The raid conducted on information received by Commissioner General of Excise D. G. M. V. Hapuarachchi had carried out under the instructions of senior officers D. A. Dayarathna, H.W.Kulatunge and OIC Dheera Gunasekera, officers, Jayantha de Silva, T. Mendis, V. Hemapala, K. Jayakody, S. Kumara, A.Kalyanapriya also took part.