Palakkad (Kerala) | Excise officials on Thursday arrested a man for allegedly selling liquor at inflated prices and seized 34 litres of IMFL from his scooter in Pattambi, officials said.

The accused was identified as Shaiju, a native of Vilayur.

According to Excise officials, 34 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor, carried in two bags and the scooter's storage compartment, were seized during the operation.

Officials alleged that Shaiju purchased liquor in bulk from a Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) outlet at Karimpana and supplied it directly to customers after receiving orders over the phone.

He allegedly sold the liquor at nearly twice the retail price, excise officials said.

The department alleged that the illegal trade was particularly active during rainy weather, when customers preferred doorstep delivery to standing in queues at liquor outlets.

Acting on a tip-off, Excise officials kept the accused under surveillance for several days before arresting him and seizing the scooter allegedly used for the illegal trade.

A case has been registered against the accused under the Abkari Act, and he will be produced before a court for remand proceedings, officials added.