A cache of 43 litres of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and seven litres of wine was seized from the Wayanad residence of ReporterTV owner Anto Augustine during a police search, prompting the Excise Department to launch an inspection and initiate legal proceedings.

The liquor was found while police were searching for a connection with a case related to a failed attempt to bring footballer Lionel Messi to Kerala.

They are also completing the seizure mahazar and other legal formalities at the house. The quantity recovered is far above the limits prescribed for personal possession under Kerala law.

An individual is permitted to possess up to three litres of IMFL and 3.5 litres of wine. The overall permissible quantity for different categories of liquor, including beer, toddy and foreign liquor, is 15 litres.