Several illegal breweries, hooch dens busted

RASIKA SOMARATHNA

Southern Excise Sleuths have cracked a massive moonshine producing and distribution racket, which had spread it’s tentacles in key towns in the South, by busting several illegal breweries and hooch dens.

A spokesman for the Department said that they had raided five large scale breweries, hidden in several islands in the Madu Ganga in the Balapitiya area, which is believed to have distributed it’s produce to many key towns in the South.

In addition, several hooch dens too had been raided and a number of suspects taken into custody in addition to confiscating brewing accessories, moonshine, illegal spirits etc, valued at over Rs. 1 million, he said.

During raids sleuths had seized 15,200 ml of illegal spirits, 850 litres of goda, 32 barrels, six copper coils, 8,250 ml of moonshine and other brewing accessories.

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.

The ‘Madu Ganga’ is considered a sanctuary and a world heritage site, due to its unique bio-diversity features. The river which houses 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.