The Excise Department apprehended three individuals, including Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, for having hybrid ganja. According to Mathrubhumi, the apprehension took place in Kochi, and they were subsequently granted station bail.

Malayalam film directors taken into custody in drug case

The third individual arrested was Shalif Mohammed. They were detained during a raid that occurred at 2 am on Sunday at a flat close to the Gosree Bridge in Kochi. Reportedly, the excise authorities uncovered 1. 6 grams of hybrid ganja from them.

The flat is said to have belonged to cinematographer Sameer Thahir. Shalif is recognized as a close associate of the directors. Referencing sources from the Excise Department, the report noted that the raid was executed based on confidential information.

Khalid is recognized for directing films such as Alappuzha Gymkhana and Thallumaala. Ashraf has directed films that include Thamaasha and Bheemannte Vazhi.

Shine Tom Chacko, drugs case

This occurs just days after the Excise Department served a notice to Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko, instructing him to appear for questioning on April 28 regarding the seizure of hybrid ganja. A notice was also delivered to actor Sreenath Bhasi concerning the case.

Previously, excise officials arrested two people—Thasleema Sulthana alias Christina and K Feroze—for allegedly distributing hybrid ganja on April 1. Thasleema's husband, Sultan Akbar Ali, was additionally arrested in relation to the matter. The investigative team suspects that Sulthana provided drugs to the two actors. Chacko was taken into custody on April 21 for suspected drug use but was released on station bail the same day.

The arrest came after nearly four hours of questioning related to an incident where Chacko purportedly escaped from a Kochi hotel during a narcotics raid. Sreenath Bhasi had approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail out of concern for arrest in the matter but retracted his petition on the same day.

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