NCB officials seize 4kg of ‘highest quality’ charas from Andheri, arrest Mumbai kingpin
The seized charas was of the ‘Malana Cream’ variety (Representational Image, Courtesy: Ahmed Ali)
In a major crackdown, officials of Narcotics Control Bureau, Mumbai arrested three persons and seized 4 kgs of the ‘highest quality’ charas from their possession in Andheri earlier this week.
According to a preliminary investigation, the seized charas (hashish form of cannabis) was sourced from Himachal Pradesh and is of the ‘Malana Cream’ variety, which is considered to be of the best quality.
Malana Cream is highly sought among drug abusers, because of which it is priced anywhere between 10 to 20 times more than the regular variety.
The value of the seized contraband is estimated to be around 30-40 lakhs in the international market, sources told Local Press Co.
The NCB sleuths arrested a 35-year-old carrier from Himachal Pradesh and two receivers from Andheri West, both of whom are in their 30s, in connection with the crime. The arrests were made on Thursday.
One of the receivers, according to officials, is is a kingpin of the narcotics trafficking syndicate in Mumbai.
Related: Biggest cannabis haul: Mumbai police seize 500 kg ganja from Vikhroli
The trio have been booked under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act. All three accused were produced before the Special NDPS court, Greater Mumbai and subsequently sent in judicial custody.
The incident comes less than a week after NCB officials laid a trap and seized 22 kg charas worth Rs 2 crore from a car in Andheri. The vehicle’s driver, who was arrested after the seizure, led officials to two more receivers, who were also arrested.
The alleged kingpin of the racket, however, managed to escape. It is not known if the culprits arrested yesterday are a part of the same racket and linked to the ones apprehended last week.
In India, narcotics trafficking can lead to rigorous imprisonment of up to 20 years and a death penalty in certain cases.
