Thrissur: Excise officials arrested a youth in Kodakara for transporting illegal spirit in a mini lorry disguised as a vegetable load. The accused, Suraj (33) of Maranthara House, Kainakary, Alappuzha, was caught during a special inspection drive led by Thrissur Range DIG Harishankar IPS.

Officials seized 79 cans containing 2,765 litres of spirit reportedly smuggled from Hosur to Alappuzha. The operation followed a tip-off about increased illicit liquor activity ahead of Onam. Investigators are working to identify the source of the spirit and determine its intended distribution network.