Vigil stepped up along Kerala coast to check spirit smuggling

Kochi, Sep 13 (UNI) The Coast Guard and other marine enforcement agencies have stepped up their surveillance along the Kerala coast following reports about an attempt to smuggle in a large quantity of alcoholic spirit into the state from the sea route.

The surveillance had been stepped up, following an intelligence tip off last evening, official sources told UNI.

Besides the Coast Guard, the customs and local police were also on an alert.

The vessel, reportedly coming from Goa, was said to be carrying 6,000 litres of alcoholic spirit. Kerala, which has the highest per capita consumption of alcohol in the country, had seen liquor sales touching nearly Rs 100 crore during the recent Onam festivities.

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