The Excise Department seized liquor and drugs worth Rs 5 million during the Sinhala/Hindu New Year holiday season through countrywide raids, Excise Department sources said.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), raided hundreds of grocery shops just prior to the New Year festival and registered 450 cases for various offences, mainly for selling above the controlled price.

According to Chairman of the CAA Rumy Marzook, most of the cases involved were selling of rice above the controlled price. The suspects are to be prosecuted next week.