'Jawan' sold as Scotch; illicit liquor manufacturing unit in Thiruvananthapuram; key operator arrested

THE State Excise Enforcement Squad in Thiruvananthapuram has busted an illicit liquor manufacturing unit that rebranded cheap local liquor, such as Jawan Rum, into premium, high-priced Scotch brands.

The key operator, identified as Hashim Zulfickar from Eenchakkal, has been arrested.

The Modus Operandi: The accused purchased low-cost liquor—specifically Jawan Rum—from Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) outlets.

He then mixed these cheap spirits with specific additives, filled them into empty premium bottles, and attached counterfeit labels to pass them off as top-tier Scotch brands like Johnnie Walker Black Label and Chivas Regal.

During the raid, excise officials seized 14 litres of counterfeit premium liquor alongside 6.5 litres of genuine liquor purchased from BEVCO.

Investigators strongly suspect that these adulterated bottles were being covertly supplied and sold across various local bars in the city.

Following the bust, the Excise Department has announced an intensive inspection drive across bars in the region to crack down on any further distribution networks or remaining counterfeit stock