Ganja seized from 2 directors, friend
hybrid ganja
from two popular Malayalam movie directors and another individual when they were about to abuse it at a flat in Kochi in the early hours of Sunday.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Directors
(Thallumala and Alappuzha Gymkhana fame) and
(Bheemante Vazhi) as well as their friend Shalif Mohammed were arrested under the NDPS Act but were given bail as the quantity of the seized ganja was minuscule. A bong (a type of hooka), crushing machine and an OCB paper (smoking paper) too were seized. Excise has information about the person who gave the ganja to the trio and efforts are on to track him, a source said.
The three were nabbed from an apartment along Abraham Madamakkal Road in the city. The excise has information that the flat belongs to popular cinematographer-director Sameer Thahir.
"We will carry out an investigation to see if he was aware of the place being used to abuse drugs. If he was aware, then his statement will also be recorded since providing space to abuse substances can also be brought under the purview of the probe," said an excise officer.
A team led by special squad inspector Pramod KP made the seizure around 2am based on confidential information. "When we entered the room, three individuals, including the two directors, were home. They had gathered to abuse the drugs and their arrest was recorded following procedures. Since the seizure was of a minor quantity, they were let off on bail after a medical examination," said Pramod.
"They were at the apartment for discussions about a film.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
We had gone to the apartment with the security guard so as to not arouse any suspicion. Had they known that it was sleuths at the door, they could have destroyed the drugs. They opened the door on seeing the security guard and we were able to catch them with the contraband," said an officer.
Excise officials said not only film industry individuals but drug abusers from all sectors were under scrutiny. They said hybrid ganja was getting increasingly popular and efforts were on to keep it in check by finding the source and preventing its import.
Fefka union suspends duo
In the wake of the arrest, Film Employees Federation of Kerala (Fefka) Directors' Union suspended both filmmakers from the body.
In a statement issued in Kochi, union president Renji Panickar and general secretary GS Vijayan said further steps would be initiated after examining the progress of the ongoing investigation.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan, meanwhile, wanted organisations like Fefka and AMMA to take a decision not to cooperate with anyone in the film industry who consumes or distributes drugs.
The arrest of Rahman and Hamza has happened days after actor Shine Tom Chacko was held in a drug case after escaping from a hotel during a police raid.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Actor Kalabhavan Navas found dead in hotel room
Malayalam film actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas was found dead in a hotel in Chottanikkara here on Friday evening, police said. The incident came to light when the staff of the hotel, where Navas (51) was staying for a film shoot, alerted authorities. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, police said. Police suspect he suffered a cardiac arrest. Manorama News reported that Navas had completed shooting for his upcoming film Prakambanam on Friday and was preparing to vacate his room. The report added that a hotel employee found the actor unconscious in his room when he went to confirm his checkout. According to the police, no suspicious items were found in his room. His body, currently kept at SD Tata Hospital in Chottanikkara, will be handed over to his family after the autopsy on Saturday. Navas was widely known for his comedic and supporting roles in several Malayalam films, including Mattupetti Machan, Junior Mandrake, and Amma Ammayi Amma. He began his career as a mimicry artist with the famed Kalabhavan troupe, which brought him early recognition. His film debut came in 1995 with Chaithanyam. Beyond cinema, Navas was active in television and frequently performed at stage events across the state. He came from a family deeply rooted in the performing arts — his late father, Aboobacker, was a noted theatre artist and actor. His wife, Rehana, and brother, Kalabhavan Niyas, are also actors. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a Facebook post, expressed grief over Navas's untimely demise. 'The passing of film and television actor Kalabhavan Navas is deeply saddening. Entering the world of performing arts through mimicry, he brought new dimensions to the craft of comic impersonation and won over many hearts through stage shows. Navas was also an artist who upheld progressive and democratic values. I offer my condolences and join his family and admirers in their grief,' the Chief Minister wrote.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Notorious drug peddler arrested after two years on the run
The Delhi police have arrested a 58-year-old woman wanted in a case under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), along with multiple other criminal cases, after she remained absconding for over two years, a senior police official said on Friday. The accused, identified as Meeta, a resident of Nand Nagri in north-east Delhi, was booked in 2023 under MCOCA for her involvement in the illegal trade of alcohol and narcotic substances. Since then, she had been evading arrest. 'She is a known bootlegger and drug peddler, with as many as 20 criminal cases against her,' said DCP (Central) Nidhin Valsan, adding that she was a listed history-sheeter at the Nand Nagri police station. The police received a tip-off that the accused would be arriving near a Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS) booth in central Delhi to meet an associate. A trap was laid, and she was apprehended at the spot, the officer said. During interrogation, Meeta revealed that she entered the world of crime at a young age. Her first arrest came in 1985 under the Excise Act. Since then, she has been booked several times, particularly for dealing in narcotic substances such as charas, Mr. Valsan said. Over the years, she and her associates ran a racket in illegal alcohol and drugs, prompting authorities to invoke the stringent MCOCA against her in 2023. Following the registration of the case, Meeta went underground, frequently changing locations to avoid detection, the officer said. Her criminal record spans charges under the NDPS Act, Excise Act, and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including drug trafficking, bootlegging, assault, obstruction of public servants, and harbouring proclaimed offenders, the officer added.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
MDMA worth3.35cr seized in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer: Police Friday seized MDMA drugs worth approximately Rs 3.35 crore from an SUV near the railway station, making it Jaisalmer's biggest-ever drugs haul. Two people have been arrested in this regard. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Superintendent of police Abhishek Shivhare said that acting on a tip-off, an operation was conducted by the DST team and Kotwali police. Under the leadership of Kotwali station officer Premdan, the team intercepted the SUV near the railway station. Although the traffickers attempted to flee by ramming the police vehicle, the cops managed to apprehend them, he said. The suspects, identified as Prakash Bishnoi (28), resident of Manjuon Ki Dhani, Phalodi, and Prem Prakash Bishnoi (28), resident of Pooniyon Ki Dhani, Chomu, were caught. A search revealed 336.4 grams of MDMA drugs which were intended for sale in Jaisalmer city in small packets. The Gujarat-registered SUV used in the smuggling was also seized. During interrogation, it was found that Prakash was involved in a prior case under the NDPS Act. The police are now questioning both suspects to uncover the roots of this drugs network. This operation is part of a special campaign to curb illegal . The success is considered a major victory for Jaisalmer police in their efforts to control the drugs trade in the district.
