NEGARA

Police have warned that arak smuggling from Java is rife after two men from Banyuwangi, East Java, were caught with illegal spirit concealed in a jerry can at the Port of Gilimanuk.

Bali authorities are on the lookout for illegal arak – a potent liquor distilled from rice grains – following a series of deaths of people who drank adulterated spirits.

Police said this week one of the men was caught with arak concealed in three jerry cans covered in black plastic. They found 100 litres of arak when a police officer opened one of the cans to smell the contents.

Klungkung Police said this week the arak scare did not seem to have discouraged drinkers in the regency, who were continuing to buy illegal supplies.

Last week they conducted two raids, on consecutive days, and detained a 21-year-old man from Sideman in Klungkung and a 36-year-old man from Betenan in Karangasem. They seized 105 litres of illegal arak.

A third man was arrested separately with 95 litres of illegal arak.