Excise questions Sameer Thahir in hybrid ganja case

Kochi’s Excise Squad has summoned prominent Malayalam cinematographer Sameer Thahir for interrogation in connection with a hybrid ganja case. The investigation follows the arrest of three individuals, including well-known film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, on April 27 for possessing 1.63 grams of the substance. The three were apprehended from a rented flat owned by Thahir in the city, prompting the Excise Department to widen the scope of their probe.
Thahir, who is a celebrated figure in the Malayalam film industry, was not initially detained but has been called in for questioning due to his association with the arrested individuals. Rahman, Hamza, and their friend Shalif Muhammad were taken into custody after a raid at the flat, which also revealed traces of what authorities suspect to be a hybrid variant of ganja, known for its potency. The trio, whose names have been publicly linked with the case, are facing charges related to narcotic possession, while the exact nature and origin of the hybrid ganja remain central to the investigation.
The arrest has sparked a media frenzy, particularly within the Malayalam film industry, where both Rahman and Hamza have garnered significant recognition for their contributions to cinema. Rahman, known for his directorial debut Thira, and Hamza, who co-directed Kumbalangi Nights, have both expressed disbelief and distress over the charges. Their involvement in the case has raised questions about how such substances are reportedly finding their way into urban centres like Kochi, especially in spaces associated with the entertainment industry.
The authorities have yet to clarify the specific role Thahir played in the incident. However, sources within the Excise Department suggest that the flat where the arrests took place may have been a location frequently visited by various film personalities, some of whom could be linked to drug-related activities. It is still unclear whether Thahir was aware of the illegal activities happening under his roof or if his involvement extends beyond being a landlord. Open URL