Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Kerala Excise Registers 6,977 Cases During Onam Enforcement Drive
Kerala officials ran a special campaign before and during the Onam festival.
They wanted to stop illegal liquor, drugs and tobacco sales.
The campaign registered 6,977 cases and led to 1,770 arrests.
Officials also seized many kinds of liquor and drugs.
Another campaign, called Operation Thunder, has recorded thousands more cases.
The Excise Department also inspected toddy shops and tapping areas for rule violations.
Minister M Liju said BEVCO employees will receive an ex gratia payment of Rs 1,05,000.
He also said the government is considering changes to excise policy and plans to professionalise some state-linked liquor businesses.
Kerala Excise registered 6,977 cases and arrested 1,770 people during its August 1–31 Onam enforcement drive.
The cases included 1,394 under the Abkari Act, 745 under the NDPS Act and 4,838 under COTPA.
Officials seized liquor, spirit, wash, 66 kilograms of ganja, ganja plants, hashish oil, MDMA and methamphetamine.
Excise Minister M Liju said Operation Thunder has recorded 34,397 cases and 7,816 arrests since the UDF government took office.
BEVCO employees will receive Rs 1,05,000 in ex gratia, while the government plans to professionalise BEVCO and its distilleries.
- Who
- Kerala's Excise Department, led in the announcement by Excise Minister M Liju.
- What
- A special Onam enforcement drive registered 6,977 cases, arrested 1,770 people and seized liquor and drugs.
- When
- The special drive is being conducted from August 1 to August 31; the announcement was made during a press conference.
- Where
- Across Kerala, with additional inspections and cases reported in several districts.
- Why
- The drive was launched because officials expected increased use and distribution of illicit liquor, ganja and other intoxicants during the festival season.
- Onam drive cases
- 6,977 cases
- Onam drive arrests
- 1,770 people
- Major seizures
- 8,336 litres of spirit, 8,518 litres of wash and 3,640 litres of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor
- Drug seizures
- 66 kg of ganja, 2,423 ganja plants, 137 grams of hashish oil, and 353 grams of MDMA and methamphetamine
- Operation Thunder totals
- 34,397 cases and 7,816 arrests since the UDF government came to power
- Operation Shuddhi inspections
- 12,923 inspections and 1,678 samples collected since June 25
- BEVCO employee payment
- Ex gratia increased by Rs 2,500 to Rs 1,05,000