Southern Special Unit Excise sleuths busted six large scale moonshine producing plants, hidden in several islands in the Madu river in the Balapitiya area, which has been declared as a sanctuary due to its unique bio-diversity features. The Madu river which consists of 64 islands is also considered as a Ramsar wetland and has the reputation of being the breeding ground for many endangered species of plants and animals. According to Excise sources the activities carried out by these illegal brewers using harmful chemicals, wood fire and using the river bed to store barrels containing illegal spirits, has contaminated the environment, threatening the existence of endangered species of plants and animals. During raids in the islands identified as Pathamulla, Owilana, Seenigoda and Periyamalakkala, the officers took into custody six people along with a large haul of moonshine, illegal spirits and other accessories valued at over Rs. one million. This includes 27,500 ml of moonshine, 1,050 litres of goda, 65 barrels, six copper coils and other accessories. According to Excise sources a lucrative business had been in operation for some time, with the produce mainly being distributed to areas in Balapitiya and Ambalangoda, but had heightened their activities with the expectation of increasing their sale during the Vesak season. Excise sources said the suspects would be produced in Court shortly. Meanwhile, Excise sources said the special detection week (May 15-21) declared by the department to coincide with the Vesak season was in full swing with over 1,500 arrests and the contraband seized valued at over Rs. 10 million. The raid conducted on information received by Commissioner General D. G. M. V. Hapuarachchi and had been conducted under the instructions of Inspector B. A. Dayarathna and OIC Dheera Gunasekera and was carried out by officers, Jayantha de Silva, T. Mendis, R. Fernando, S. Nuwan, Amal, V. Hemapala, K. Jayakody, S. Kumara, D. Pushpakumara, M. Manamperi and D. Niroshana and Piyasena.