Fashion photographer arrested in Kochi with suspected MDMA and cash

The Ernakulam Excise squad has arrested a 34-year-old fashion photographer after seizing 38.13 grams of suspected MDMA and more than ₹15 lakh in cash from Kakkanad, Kochi. The arrested man was identified as Arun K. Nair, a native of Pampady in Kottayam.

The Excise team intercepted the car in which he was travelling and recovered the suspected synthetic drug and cash, according to officials. Deputy Excise Commissioner P.K. Satheesh told the media that investigators suspected Nair had been supplying narcotic substances to young people, including students, and people working in the film industry.

Satheesh described the accused as an alleged agent involved in drug sales and said he was also suspected of using drugs. The official said investigators believed the suspected MDMA had been obtained from Delhi and other northern States. The Excise department has identified a Kozhikode native as the alleged supplier, Satheesh said.

The investigation will examine the suspected supply chain and the circumstances in which the substance and cash were being carried. The arrest was made during an inspection led by Excise Inspector K.S. Kannan.

The source material did not provide details of the sections invoked, the next court proceedings or whether the seized substance had been confirmed through forensic testing. The allegations against Nair remain subject to investigation. The recovery and the claims about his alleged activities were reported by Excise officials following the arrest.