In a major breakthrough, Kerala Excise officials have arrested Tasleem Sultana, a key figure in the state's narcotics trade, after a three-month-long surveillance operation. Sultana, who has been identified as a major supplier of drugs from Chennai into Kerala, allegedly revealed during interrogation that prominent Malayalam film actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi were among her clients. Shine Tom Chacko is also familiar to Telugu audience with his roles in Daaku Maharaj and Robinhood.
The operation, which was carried out based on a tip-off, led to the seizure of hybrid ganja worth approximately Rs 2 crore in the open market. Sultana, who hails from Kannur, primarily operates from Chennai and has developed strong ties with the Malayalam film industry over the years. She has used her contacts to secure minor acting roles in a few films, which investigators suspect helped her establish relationships with actors who allegedly procured drugs from her.
Excise officials have confirmed that Chacko and Bhasi were named by Sultana, but they have remained tight-lipped about her other potential clients. Sultana's mobile phone has been confiscated, and officials are analyzing its data for more leads. This is not Sultana's first brush with the law, as she has a previous record of being arrested for her involvement in a sex racket.
With Sultana in custody, Excise officials have launched an elaborate probe to uncover the full extent of her operations. The investigation is likely to shed more light on the nexus between the narcotics trade and the Malayalam film industry. Meanwhile, actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi are likely to face scrutiny for their alleged involvement with Sultana.