The Ernakulam Excise squad arrested a fashion photographer with 38.13 grams of suspected MDMA and over ₹15 lakh in cash from Kakkanad.

The arrested was identified as Arun K. Nair, 34, a native of Pampady, Kottayam. The Excise team intercepted the car he was travelling in and reportedly seized the contraband and cash.

Deputy Excise Commissioner P.K. Satheesh told the media that the department suspected that the accused had been supplying narcotic substances to youths, including students, and those in the film industry.

Investigators have identified a Kozhikode native as the person who supplied drugs to Arun, the officer said.

The arrest was made during an inspection led by Excise Inspector K.S. Kannan.