Rs.30 m worth illegal spirits seized

Ridma Dissanayake

Excise Department officials seized a car and two lorries containing 13,000 litres of spirits that were brought illegally brought into the country.

Excise Department Superintendent Prabath Jayawickrema stated that the stock of spirits that was seized yesterday has been valued at over Rs. 30 million.

He stated that the driver and the persons traveling in the lorries were taken into custody. The suspects have imported this stock of illegal spirits from Malaysia presenting fake documents to the Customs.

The suspects were questioned by Excise Officials under the direction of the Excise Department Commissioner General Wasantha Hapuarachchi and further investigations are to be held.

Excise Department Superintenden Jayawickrema added that the suspects will be produced before court with the vehicles after preliminary investigations.

Excise Depatment officials Senaratne, Shirley Wijesinghe, S.A.Udaya, Ajith Gunasena and Sujith conducted the raid.