COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore zone Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) executed two back-to-back operations in Kerala, seizing a total of 8,500 litres of spirit and arresting six people over the past two days.Following confidential intelligence received, CIU Coimbatore inspector and his team coordinated with local authorities in Kerala. In the first operation in Kannur in Kerala on Tuesday night, the joint team intercepted a consignment smuggled from Hubballi in Karnataka. Officials seized 7,000 litres of illicit spirit packed in 200 plastic cans. They impounded a truck and detained the driver on the spot.The CIU launched a second raid near Angamaly in Kerala on Wednesday, targeting two trucks transporting spirit from Karnataka. Coordinating with the Kerala excise department, officers confiscated 1,500 litres of illicit spirit and arrested five people, including ringleaders Santhosh and Ratheesh.In both operations, the joint initiative resulted in the seizure of 8,500 litres of contraband spirit and three trucks used for transit. All the six suspects, along with the seized vehicles and contraband, were handed over to the Kerala excise department for further legal action.
