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Illegal breweries busted in Hikkaduwa:
Woman among seven arrested
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Excise raids in Molapu Oya, Hikkaduwa |
Southern Excise Sleuths busted six large scale illegal breweries in
several islands of Molapu Oya, Hikkaduwa, considered to be the main
source of illicit liquor supply to the tourist destination.
According to Excise sources, the activities carried out by these
illegal brewers using harmful chemicals, fire wood, and using the river
bed to store barrels containing illegal spirits, have contaminated the
environment, which is rich with corals, mangroves and tropical fish.
During the raids, Excise sleuths had taken into custody seven
suspects including one woman, along with a large haul of moonshine,
illegal spirits and other accessories valued at over Rs. two million.
This includes 30,800 ml of illegal spirits, 1,020 litres of goda, 26
barrels, six copper coils, 15 kgs of ammonia, a large haul of moonshine
and other brewing accessories.
According to Excise sources a lucrative business had been in
operation for some time, with the produce mainly being distributed in
Hikkaduwa and adjoining areas. They said the suspects had confessed that
they had distributed the produce in Hikkaduwa, Kahawa, Gonapinuwala,
Meetiyagoda, Batapola, Telwatta, etc.
(RS) |
