Kerala Drug Peddler Links Malayalam Actors to Narcotics

Synopsis

Kerala Excise officials arrested Tasleem Sultana, a significant drug peddler, who named prominent Malayalam actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi as clients. The operation revealed her extensive drug network and previous legal troubles.

Key Takeaways

Tasleem Sultana arrested after three-month surveillance.
Links to Malayalam actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi.
Hybrid ganja worth Rs 2 crore seized.
Sultana has a prior record involving a sex racket.
Investigation into her drug operations is ongoing.

Alappuzha, April 2 (NationPress) After a rigorous surveillance operation lasting three months, Kerala Excise officials apprehended Tasleem Sultana, a significant player in the state's narcotics trade. During questioning, Sultana purportedly disclosed that renowned Malayalam film actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi were part of her clientele.

Following a tip-off, Excise officials arrested Sultana and her accomplice at a resort near Alappuzha on Tuesday evening. This operation resulted in the confiscation of hybrid ganja valued at around Rs 2 crore in the open market.

Officials had monitored Sultana's activities for several months, recognizing her as a key supplier of drugs from Chennai into Kerala.

"We had been gathering intelligence on her for three months. She finally fell into our trap," stated Excise Deputy Commissioner S. Vinod Kumar.

He confirmed that Sultana had strong connections to the Malayalam film industry and had named several individuals, including Chacko and Bhasi.

Originating from Kannur, Sultana mainly operates out of Chennai, frequently visiting Kochi and Alappuzha, which officials believe are vital distribution hubs for her network.

Over the years, she forged significant relationships with the Malayalam film industry, leveraging her contacts to secure minor roles in a few films.

Investigators believe this facilitated her connections with actors, including those who allegedly obtained drugs from her.

While Excise officials have confirmed that Chacko and Bhasi were mentioned, they have not disclosed information about other potential clients. Sultana's mobile device has been seized, and officials are examining its data for additional leads.

This is not Sultana's first encounter with the law. She has a prior record, having been arrested previously for involvement in a sex racket.

Actor Shine Tom Chacko also has a controversial history. In 2015, he was detained along with four models for cocaine possession but was acquitted a decade later due to insufficient evidence.

Meanwhile, Sreenath Bhasi was interrogated last year concerning a Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) case linked to the alleged gangster Om Prakash.

With Sultana in custody, Excise officials have initiated a comprehensive investigation to unveil the full scope of her operations.