Kozhikode: Police arrested a 39-year-old man from the Kozhikode beach area after he was found sleeping beside a large quantity of cannabis allegedly spread out on a newspaper for drying, officials said on Friday.

According to police, morning walkers noticed the man lying on a mat with suspected narcotics nearby and alerted authorities. Television channels later aired visuals of the scene, prompting swift police action.

When officers from Vellayil police station reached the spot, the man reportedly attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. He was identified as Muhammed Rafi, and police seized 372 grams of cannabis from his possession.

He has been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Juvenile Justice Act, as the incident occurred near a school zone and officers suspect the drugs were intended for sale to students.

Police said the accused claimed the seized cannabis did not belong to him, and further investigation is underway.