In a major crackdown ahead of Onam, the Thrissur City police in Kerala have seized around 3,030 litres of spirit allegedly stockpiled for the illegal manufacture and sale of spurious liquor in the district.

The seizure was made as part of a special drive under ‘Operation Toofan’ launched in connection with Independence Day. The operation was led by Thrissur City Police Commissioner Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh.

A joint team of the City DANSAF squad and the Mannuthy police found the spirit stored in 101 cans at a rented house at Kalathode, Mannuthy, which had allegedly been converted into a makeshift godown. The police suspect that the stock was being stored for sale at exorbitant prices during the Onam season.

The police also arrested the driver of a pickup van allegedly used to transport the spirit to the godown. The arrested man was identified as Ajay E. Suresh, 28, of Kunnathangadi, Thrissur.

Acting on a tip-off received by Commissioner Deshmukh, a team led by City Narcotics Cell ACP Shibu P. conducted the inspection at the godown. According to the police, the van was being used to bring the spirit to the godown when the driver was taken into custody.

Commissioner Deshmukh said the police had obtained crucial leads regarding the key accused in the case and that efforts were underway to apprehend them soon.

Published - August 15, 2026 12:09 pm IST