8 held in hotel drug bust

Kochi: City police on Saturday arrested eight persons, including three women, and seized 5g hybrid cannabis, 0.34g cocaine, 0.36g methamphetamine, and 0.44g ecstasy pills from the group at a star hotel in Kadavanthara. According to police, arrested persons included an event management firm owner Shaji Fernando (44) of T'puram, a restaurant owner Austin Jose (31) of Edappally, lawyer Rohit Nair (25) of Kaloor, businessman Jino Murali of Aluva, nutritionist Akbar Shah (30) of Alappuzha, dentist Bensi Ravuthar (29) of Pandalam, physiotherapist Seythali Fathima (29) of Kollam, and aviation student Amal Rauf (26) of Kannur. Fernando, a key figure in the group, sells drugs to youngsters under the guise of event management, said police. DJ party venues were under police surveillance in connection with assembly elections.tnn