Sun Apr 27 04:21:14 UTC 2025: **Kochi Film Directors Arrested in Drug Raid, Released on Bail**
KOCHI, KERALA – Two prominent Malayalam film directors, Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa, were arrested early Sunday morning in Kochi on suspicion of possessing hybrid ganja. The arrests took place during a pre-dawn raid at the apartment of director and cinematographer Samir Thahir, where 1.5 grams of the suspected drug were found. A third individual, Shahid Mohammed, was also apprehended.
The directors, known for films such as *Alappuzha Gymkhana* (Rahman) and *Thamaasha* (Hamsa), reportedly told authorities they were meeting to discuss a film project. While they were released on bail later that morning due to the small amount of substance found, a senior Excise officer stated that the raid was based on a tip-off and that an investigation is underway to identify the source of the ganja. The officer also noted that the apartment narrowly avoided a similar raid in March.
This incident follows recent controversy surrounding actor Shine Tom Chacko, who fled a hotel during a police raid. Notices have been issued to Chacko and actor Sreenath Bhasi to appear before Excise officials on April 28th in connection with a separate hybrid ganja seizure case.
First Piper 