Overview

• Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, prominent Malayalam film directors, were arrested alongside Shalif Mohammed during a raid at a Kochi apartment early Sunday morning.
• Excise officials seized 1.5–1.6 grams of hybrid ganja from the trio, leading to cases under sections 20(b)(II)A and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.
• The three were released on bail by 7 a.m. due to the minimal quantity of drugs seized, though officials confirmed longstanding ganja use among them.
• The Kerala Excise Department has initiated an investigation to trace the source of the hybrid ganja and has summoned actor Shine Tom Chacko and others for questioning.
• This incident follows recent drug-related controversies in the Malayalam film industry, including a March raid at the same apartment and Shine Tom Chacko fleeing a hotel during a police operation.