Excise nabs key figure in drug distribution in Kochi along with actor, seizes 21 grams of MDMA

KOCHI: A quotation leader and a film star who were distributing drugs in Ernakulam town have been arrested by Excise. A special action team led by Ernakulam Enforcement Assistant Commissioner arrested Shyam Kumar (38 years old) alias Aashan Sabu, a native of Njarakkal and actor Nidhin Jose (32) known as Charlie, a native of Thrissur. 21 grams of MDMA was seized from them.

Aashan Sabu is accused in various criminal cases like attempt to murder, assault, house trespassing and drug smuggling. He controlled the drug network in Kochi. About ten people in his group were arrested from various places but they were unable to catch Aashan. The search was intensified on the basis of an intelligence report that he had expanded the MDMA sale with the help of the actor. Then the Excise officially nabbed Aashan from Edappally while he was waiting for agents to receive collection from drug sale.

The Excise team arrested him with much effort as he turned violent. Aashan used to buy drugs directly from an African origin person in Bengaluru and brought them to Kochi and then sold them with the help of the film actor. The film actor was caught with MDMA during an investigation following a tip-off from Aashan Sabu. Nidhin Jose has played some roles in the recent movies in the name Charlie. He will be investigated for his role in drug distribution in the film industry.