Fashion photographer held with 38.13 gm MDMA in Keralam's Kochi

KOCHI (Keralam), Oct 3 : A 34-year-old fashion photographer was arrested by the Excise Department here on Saturday for allegedly possessing 38.13 grams of MDMA drugs and more than Rs 15 lakh in cash, officials said.

The accused, Arun K Nair, a native of Poothakkuzhi in Pampady, Kottayam, was arrested by the Ernakulam Excise Squad while travelling in a car at Kakkanad.

Deputy Excise Commissioner P K Satheesh told reporters that the probe has revealed drug dealings in the film industry and that a detailed investigation has been launched into the matter.

He said that Arun primarily sold drugs to youngsters and students, adding that the accused was allegedly under the influence of narcotics at the time of his arrest.

The cash was kept in a bag inside the car.

Arun collected payments in cash from customers while selling the drugs, officials said.

He was staying at a luxury hotel in Kakkanad, officials said.

Excise officials said that the investigation has found that a person named Ubaid, a native of Kozhikode, had allegedly supplied drugs to Arun.

Excise probe revealed that the MDMA was sourced from Delhi and other northern states and sold at Rs 3,000 per gram in Kochi, officials said.

The Excise Department will also examine Arun's financial transactions and phone call records, officials said.

The accused was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody.

Excise officials added that more arrests are expected in the case in the coming days.  (PTI)