Shops near schools raided, tobacco seized

KOCHI: Tobacco packets, in lakhs, were seized from shops located near the premises of schools in Eloor, Cheranallore, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. At least 120 shops were raided near 60 schools, 14 were also fined for smoking in public. As part of the raid, complaints registered by the teachers and parents were also looked into.The raid was jointly conducted by the Health  department and led by Narcotic Cell Assistant Commissioner Joseph Saju. District Collector Sheik Pareeth has asked the general public to inform the Assistant Commissioner of the Narcotic Cell or the health department officials if they come across any such shops or notice smoking near educational premises.

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