Goda racket and teak wood raid today

COLOMBO (News 1st) -  Excise officers of Kotawila, Matara raided an illegal goda racket last evening (April 04). The goda racket in question had been carried out for a prolonged period of time in Midigama, Weligama. The raid was carried out based on a tipoff. The officials of the Excise Department noted that 1560 litres of goda was seized. The preliminary investigations revealed that the stock of goda was prepared to be sold at Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, and Welimada areas. The seized stock was destroyed on the spot. The suspects had fled the scene and the operations are currently underway to arrest them. Meanwhile, four people were arrested in Moragahawewa, Nawaththegama for transporting a stock of teak wood without a valid license. The stock of wood which is suspected to have been cut down from the Thabbowa sanctuary was discovered following an inspection by Nawaththegama police. The cab which was used to transport the stock of wood was also taken into police custody. Suspects are residents of Nawaththegama and they are due to be produced before the Anamaduwa magistrate's court today(April 04).