Earlier, excise officials arrested two individuals—Thasleema Sulthana alias Christina and K Feroze—for allegedly selling hybrid ganja on April 1.
Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, along with Shalif Mohammed, were arrested by the Excise Department in Kochi for possession of 1.6 grams of hybrid ganja, according to Mathrubhumi. They were released on station bail following a 2 a.m. raid at a flat near the Gosree Bridge on Sunday.
The flat, reportedly owned by cinematographer Sameer Thahir, was searched based on a tip-off. Shalif, said to be a close friend of the directors, was also taken into custody during the operation.
Khalid is known for directing films such as Alappuzha Gymkhana and Thallumaala. Ashraf has directed films including Thamaasha and Bheemannte Vazhi.
This comes just days after the Excise department issued a notice to Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko, directing him to appear for questioning on April 28 in connection with the seizure of hybrid ganja. A notice was served to actor Sreenath Bhasi in the case.
Earlier, excise officials arrested two individuals—Thasleema Sulthana alias Christina and K Feroze—for allegedly selling hybrid ganja on April 1. Thasleema's husband, Sultan Akbar Ali, was also arrested in connection with the case. The probe team suspects that Sulthana supplied drugs to the two actors. Chacko was arrested on April 21 for alleged drug use but was released on station bail the same day.
The arrest followed a nearly four-hour-long interrogation related to an incident in which Chacko allegedly fled from a Kochi hotel during a narcotics raid. Sreenath Bhasi had approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail, fearing arrest in the case, but withdrew his petition on the same day.