KOZHIKODE: The excise teams conducted raids on shops selling banned tobacco products in different parts of the state and seized huge quantities of the items on the orders of excise commissioner Rishiraj Singh. In Kozhikode, 75 cases were registered, in Kannur 111 cases and in Kasargod seven cases under Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).

Excise deputy commissioner P.K. Suresh said that 72 COTPA cases and three NDPS cases were registered in Kozhikode. Three cigarette depots at Mooriyad palam, Kozhikode beach and Puthiyapalam road were checked. More than 825 packets of cigarettes, khaini, scented tobacco powder, hans and cut tobacco were seized and a fine of Rs 14,400 was charged.

In Kannur, 3.4 kg of tobacco, 1,270 packets of hans, 132 packets of cigarettes, 85 packets of beedi were seized. In Kasargod, 2,865 packets of pan masala, 464 packets of beedi and 50 packets of cigarettes were seized.

Kottayam: At least 750 kilograms of tobacco products, including banned ones, were seized by excise officials in the presence of policemen from the godown of ‘Anandasil’ agencies, which is 40 metres from an educational institution near Vadakkenada of Thirunakkar temple. The products included hans and pan masala.

The police registered a case against Anandan of Nattakom for selling the banned products and for not observing the distance stipulated from the educational institution. Police said that they will take the accused into custody. Incidentally, the raid occurred when Mr Rishiraj Singh was in the town for attending a function.

Kollam: The excise team seized banned tobacco products, including pan masala, worth Rs 5 lakh and arrested a man in raids conducted at various spots in the district. The arrested was identified as Shanmughan (50) hailing from Paravoor, a distributor in Kollam.