Iritty: As part of the Christmas–New Year special drive, the Excise Department on Thursday conducted surprise inspections at toddy shops along the inter-State border areas here.

The checks were carried out using a mobile liquor-testing laboratory (North Zone) deployed at the site. Toddy shops in Ulikkal, Mandapparambu and Chavassery were covered during the drive. The exercise was aimed at detecting the presence of harmful substances, including chemicals illegally mixed into toddy that could pose serious health risks. Officials said no suspicious substances were found during the inspections.

The testing was conducted by the North Zone mobile excise laboratory, based in Kozhikode, which has been carring out inspections across Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Such inspections are being conducted without prior notice.

As part of it, samples of 2.5 litres of toddy are collected in the presence of the shop owners, of which half a litre is used for testing, while the remaining two litres are sealed and stored. Test results are made available within 2 to 2.5 hours.

If no irregularities are detected, the sealed sample is returned to the shop. In cases where adulteration is found, the matter, along with the sealed sample, is handed over to the respective Excise range for further action.

The inspection team at Iritty comprised Assistant Excise Inspector B Naseer, excise officers Ajith and Sreejith (driver), Scientific Officer Babu, and a lab assistant.