Former international wrestler arrested for smuggling drugs

New Delhi: The Delhi Police apprehended two persons, including a former international wrestler, for their involvement in smuggling charas from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi. The accused, Hanumante (30) and Adnan Ahmed (32), were found in possession of 350 grams of charas, valued over Rs 10 lakh, while transporting it in a Mercedes car.

According to Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sanjay Bhatia, a tip-off on Monday led the police to intercept the drug traffickers, who were sourcing charas from Malana village in Himachal Pradesh and distributing it across Delhi, NCR and other parts of India.

A police team laid a trap near Wazirabad flyover, resulting in the apprehension of Hanumante and Adnan. Upon interrogation, they confessed to procuring charas from Malana village.

Hanumante, once a promising wrestler at the junior international level, revealed to the police that a career-ending injury in 2014 led him into drug addiction. Faced with high prices for charas in Delhi, he ventured to Malana for cheaper procurement. His associate, Adnan, joined him during the lockdown period.

The Additional CP said Hanumante purchased charas for personal consumption and also to resale at higher rates. A case has been registered against the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

(with PTI inputs)