STF nabs eight men, liquor haul in hooch raid

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Special Task Force (STF) arrested eight persons along with 751 bottles of illicit liquor on Wednesday.

The five men and the hooch haul were taken into custody from Wennappuwa, Passaram, Matara and Akmeemana.

STF sources said the illicit liquor is valued at over Rs 600,000. The STF also took into custody several barrels, cans, pipes, bottles and wire.

The STF handed over the eight men and the items to the Police.

Meanwhile, the STF arrested two persons who were operating an illegal mobile timber centre in Sooriyagahagoda, Panamura.

The illegally felled timber is valued at over Rs 75,000. The suspects and the timber were handed over to the Forest Range Office in Embilipitiya.

The STF also arrested five persons who were mining sand illegally at Panichchiaru, Silawathura. Officers of the Mannar STF camp seized a tractor, a trailer, a cube of sand and a shovel along with the suspects. The STF handed over the suspects and the items to Silawathura Police.