Edayar: Excise seized 8,500 litres of spirit from an underground storage unit of a paint manufacturing company in Binanipuram, Edayar, near Aluva, on Wednesday night.

Rajakkad-native Baiju aka Kuttappayi and Thrikkakara-native Samson were arrested in connection with the raid.

Officials suspect the spirit to have been smuggled in from Goa as they found stickers of a Goan distillery lying on the floor of the hidden storage.

According to Excise officials, the duo had been selling illicit spirit across the State. The spirit was stored in plastic cans and hidden in cardboard boxes. 

An Excise Special Squad launched a surprise vehicle check at night after receiving a tip-off that spirit deals had been taking place in Aluva. It was during the inspection that the squad came across a car with cans of spirit stored in it. On questioning the duo in the car, they coughed up details about the underground storage in Edayar.

Both Biju and Samson are business partners and spirit agents. Kurian, the owner of the paint manufacturing company, is absconding. As per the officials, the company was being used as a front to conduct illegal activities. 

The raid was a combined effort of the Excise Commissioner's special squad and Adimaly Excise officials.