Malayalam Directors Held in Kochi Drug Raid Operation

Malayalam Directors Held in Kochi Drug Raid Operation :

At least three persons, including two well-known malayalam film directors, were arrested by the Kerala excise department on Sunday for reportedly possessing hybrid cannabis, said a top official. Filmmakers Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza and Shalih Mohamad were picked up from a Kochi apartment in an early morning operation. Deputy Excise Commissioner (Ernakulam) TM Maju said the raid, based on a secret information, led to the seizure of 1.63 gm of hybrid cannabis, a water pipe and a grinding machine.

The three were accused under sections 20(B)(II)A and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 but were released on station bail as the seized contraband was below the commercial quantity. Maju said the raid was conducted as part of the ongoing "Operation Clean Slate" crackdown. He said they had identified the source of the drug and would follow it up. The excise department has also asked cinematographer Sameer Thahir, who has the ownership of the flat in which the drugs were seized, to appear before the probe team for questioning. The directors were said to be discussing a film project at the location.

Khalid Rahman, 34, is behind the recently released sports comedy "Alappuzha Gymkhana'' and is famous for his experimentation in filmmaking. Ashraf Hamza has also carved a niche of his own with critically acclaimed films “Thamaasha” and “Bheemante Vazhi.” Sibi Malayil, president of directors' association in Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), said in a statement to media that they would be expelled for drug message being sent out from members of the film fraternity. The arrest comes after Shine Tom Chacko's detention in an alleged drug case. Chacko was grilled about dodging a hotel drug raid, as well as allegations of him acting inappropriately towards a female colleague following a drug fuelled on-set session.