Kerala actor arrested in drugs case, released later

TWO days after allegedly fleeing the scene during a narcotics raid at a Kochi hotel, film actor Shine Tom Chacko was on Saturday arrested and released on bail.

- ABDUL NAZER M A @ Kochi

The arrest followed nearly four-hour-long interrogation.

According to police, Shine is believed to be a "habitual user of narcotics". He was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for consumption of narcotic drugs, abetment, and criminal conspiracy.

As per the FIR, Shine and his friend, Ahmed Murshad, may have stayed at the hotel as part of a conspiracy involving drug use and possession. Shine has also been accused of attempting to destroy evidence.

After his arrest, Shine underwent a medical examination at the General Hospital in Ernakulam, where samples of his hair and nail were collected for scientific testing to determine potential drug use. He was later released on conditional station bail.