Excise officers seized 8.43 kg ganja from a man hailing from Odisha during a combing operation at the State border on Friday. The Kerala Mobile Intervention Unit (KEMU) and the check post officers jointly made the seizure from a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus at Velanthavalam check post.
The Excise team led by KEMU officer-in-charge Aneesh Mohan seized the ganja from 24-year-old Vijay Dogri. It was suspected that Vijay had brought ganja from Odisha for sale in Kerala.
Deputy Excise Commissioner V. Robert said that Vijay would be produced before a court at Chittur. He said a detailed investigation had begun to identify the deeper links of those involved in the interstate ganja trade.
Mr. Robert said that the KEMU would intensify its activities in Chittur taluk in the coming days.
Apart from Mr. Mohan, the other Excise officers who took part in the search were preventive officers J.R. Ajit, Shaikh Dawood, Moosappa, and Sajeev T.C., and civil excise officer Lindesh.
Any complaints about liquor, drugs, or tobacco can be made at the following numbers: 0492-3222272 (Excise circle office, Chittur), 9400069610 (Excise circle inspector, Chittur), 0491-2505897 (Excise division office, Palakkad), and 155358 (Toll-free number, Palakkad district).
