Film directors in Kochi released on bail after seizure of suspected hybrid ganja

Kochi: Excise sleuths who seized suspected hybrid ganja from film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa on Sunday, found crucial information about the supplier who sold them the contraband. The directors and their friend Shalif Muhammed were nabbed from a flat in Kochi. However, only 1.50g of the contraband was seized from them and they were later released on bail.

An excise official said, as per preliminary investigation, it was Shalif who allegedly bought the contraband from a peddler. "We have identified the peddler and are tracing him. His phone appears to be switched off. We are questioning suspects to track him down," said an official, adding that they would be able to know more about the network supplying the drug after arresting him.

Excise officials said the punishment for hybrid as well as regular ganja was the same, even though the value varies. "Hybrid ganja is sold at a retail rate of Rs 1500 per gram in the city. What was seized from the directors is worth around Rs 2000. Regular ganja is sold at a much cheaper rate, with barely Rs 500 for 5 grams. Hybrid ganja is mostly imported from Thailand. We would know more about the source of the drug once we arrest the peddler," the officer said.

The trio were caught in an apartment along Abraham Madamakkal Road. It was a team led by special squad inspector Pramod KP that made the seizure around 2am.