Malaysian film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, along with another person, were detained by the excise duty in Kochi for owning 1.6 grams of hybrid Ganja (cannabis) on Sunday hours. Later, they managed to secure bail a few hours later, as Mathrubhumi states.
The excise duty department carried out a raid on an apartment near the Gosree bridge in Kochi, which led to the arrest of cameraman Sameer Thahir and Shalif Muhammed. The residence, which allegedly belonged to Thahire, was attacked on the basis of intimate information.
“We took three to custody from the apartment in Kochi and confiscated Hybrid Ganja. Against them, the case according to sections 20 (b) (II) and 29 Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) of 1985,” official in EXTISE SQUAD in Ernacula.
Inspector of the KP Pramod Summary told Manorama News that the trio from the apartment is regular drug users. The directors and their friend got into the apartment for discussions about the film, he added.
“We charged them from the apartment 506 from Purva Grandbay in Kochi. When we attacked the apartment, they were preparing for Ganja consumption. After their questioning, we confirmed that these three people were using Ganja for a long time.
Shalif Mohammed, who was also taken into custody, is known to be a close friend of the director Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza. Rahman is recognized as the directing of popular films such as Alappuzha Gymkhan and Thallmaal, while Hamza held the films including Thamaasha and Bheemannte.
Khalid Rahman, director for several successful films such as Anuraga Karikkinvellam, Unda and Thallumal, has gained extended recognition. His latest edition of Alappuzha Gymkhan is currently performing well at the cash register.
(Tagstotranslate) Khalid Rahman
