In an early morning raid on Monday, the police stopped a tipper smuggling illicit spirit and seized 157 cans valued over 2.5 lakh in Panambur police station limits. Two persons have been arrested in this connection.

According to the police, acting on a tip off, ASP Kaushalendra Kumar raided the truck as soon as it came out of Mookambika Chemicals in Panambur. A thorough checking revealed that 157 cans (each carrying 35 litres spirit) were hidden in the truck and all the goods was covered with sand to give an impression that sand is being carried in the tipper.

The illicit liquor and tipper has been seized while driver and the cleaner have been arrested. The illicit spirit is said to be belonging to Madhukar Malli, the proprietor of Mookambika Chemicals. A case has been registered against Malli as well.

It may be recalled that a few months ago the then Panambur SI Pramodh had raided the godown of Malli and seized two cars and large quantity of spirit. DCRB DySP Chandrappa is investigating the earlier case.