Police raid large hooch den

By Jayampathy Jayasinghe

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Police Central Anti Vice Striking Force (CAVSF) raided one of the largest illicit hooch distilleries at Othe Kele-Korara-Eliya, Ja-Ela and detected a large haul of kasippu on Thursday.

The haul of Goda and Kasippu includes 405 barrels each containing 45 gallons of Goda (Unlawfully Manufactured Liquor) and 1,170 bottles of Kasippu (Unlawfully Distilled Spirits) and distilling equipment worth over Rs. 22 million. Three people who were engaged in distilling kasippu were taken into custody by the police.

According to OIC CAVSF, Chief Inspector Duminda Balasuriya the distillery had manufactured around 5,000 bottles of Kasippu a day and taken in luxury vehicles to Kandy, Galle and Anuradhapura.

OIC Balasuriya said, a wealthy businessman from the area was involved in the operation.