Drugs and partying has turned into a big fad in Kerala, especially in its commercial capital Kochi. This resulted in a TV star and small-time film actor Ashwathy Babu (22) being arrested on charges of possessing drugs from her residence at Thrikkakara in Kochi.

Plainclothes shadow police had, on a tipoff, been keeping tab of her movements. Late on Sunday evening, police arrived when the deadly psychoactive drug, MDMA, was seized while being readied for handover at the car park of her flat. Her driver Binoy Abraham was also arrested.

According to police, the drug, whose use can leave a person high for at least 12 hours, was brought from Bengaluru. It was meant to be used during Christmas and New Year partying in the city.

it is estimated that 1gm of the drug costs more than Rs 2,500.

Police said they had information that there used to be drug parties at her residence frequently and preparations were on for big New Year bashes in hotels in the city. The quizzing could lead to more arrests and also information of the drug mafia, they said.

Police have over the last few years imposed strict curbs on New Year bashes in major hotels in the city.