Hybrid ganja case: Avoiding inspections by travelling as family; charges against film stars pending

ALAPPUZHA: The Excise Department has named Sultan Akbar Ali as the primary accused in the case involving the seizure of ganja worth Rs 2 crore from a homestay in Alappuzha. The department has stated that notices will be issued to individuals in the film industry linked to this case. Sultan Akbar Ali was apprehended by the investigation team yesterday on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra border. Officials have also announced the need for further investigation.

According to the Assistant Excise Commissioner, there will be a detailed inquiry into individuals associated with the film industry. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused have international connections. Sultan Akbar Ali is the main suspect in the case, while his wife, Taslima Sultana, reportedly has friends in the film industry. The ganja was transported to Kerala from Chennai before being distributed. All three individuals arrested will be interrogated together after being taken into custody. The accused used to travel as a family whilst also distributing cannabis, hence avoiding inspections. Notices will be sent to the film stars mentioned by the accused, and they will be summoned for questioning. Charges will be filed if their involvement is established.

Cyber police have scrutinized WhatsApp messages on Taslima’s phone, which was in Excise custody. The investigation extended to Sultan after photos of a parcel sent by him from Chennai three days before were uncovered. Taslima’s sister’s identity documents were used to rent the car seized in the case, and her statement was recorded recently. The investigation team nabbed Sultan by identifying his location by gathering and tracking phone numbers of Taslima’s children extracting their information from Taslima’s phone.