Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 26 -- The Kerala Excise Department has intensified its enforcement operations across the state during the Onam season, registering 8,241 cases and arresting 36,633 persons for offences involving liquor, narcotic drugs and banned tobacco products.
The arrests and cases were recorded as part of the Onam Special Enforcement Drive, being conducted from August 1 to 31 to prevent the smuggling, illegal storage and sale of liquor and narcotic substances and to ensure a safe festive season.
The department has stepped up surprise raids and inspections at identified drug and liquor hotspots, suspected spirit storage locations, hideouts of habitual offenders, illegal liquor storage centres and areas vulnerable to illicit arr...