Mafia pumping drugs in Manikaran, Malana
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service
Shimla, February 14
Graduating from dealing in illegal narcotics trade of charas and opium in Kullu-Manali, the international drug mafia seems to be targeting the “Valley of Gods” with easy supply of high end drugs like heroin, cocaine and smack, considering the large number of foreign nationals visiting the area.
Chance seizure of 15 gm of heroin in Manikaran on February 11 led Himachal police to lay its hand on a Nigerian national Oke Chikku Matthew, with 1,550 gm of heroin (worth Rs 3.77 crore) in Uttam Nagar of Delhi yesterday. This not being an isolated case had put Himachal police on the alert who are now taking a close look at the linkages to get to the mafia behind the entire illegal trade, making Kullu-Manali belt notorious for drugs.
Recent trends indicate that international drug mafia was involved in supply to areas like Manikaran, Malana and Parbati valley frequented by a large number of foreigners. “We are now very minutely looking at the larger picture to get to the root cause of the problem and the mafia engaged in supplying heroin, smuggled into India from Afghanistan,” admits Sanjay Kumar, Director General of Police. “There have been a number of big seizures and we hope to focus on preventive detention through thorough investigation, involving the financial angle,” he said.Kullu Superintendent of Police Padam Chand said Praveen Kumar Samal (26) of Keonjhar district (Odisha) was nabbed with 15 gram heroin on February 11 near the Kasol region of Manikaran valley. The SP said during interrogation Praveen revealed that he had earlier visited the Kasol region about four times and supplied drugs. The SP said Praveen revealed that he used to take the drug consignment from Delhi and supply to drug addicts here.
The SP said a team was constituted and sent to Delhi along with Praveen to trace Matthew on February 12. He said the team was able to nab the accused with the contraband from his rented accommodation in Delhi. The Kullu Police arrested the accused and brought him here.
Incidentally, the same Nigerian national, who was arrested by a team headed by a Sub-Inspector of the Himachal Police from Delhi yesterday, had been arrested from Manali in 2014 for carrying 20 gm of cocaine. However, he could not be convicted and was released in 2016, returning to the trade once again. The number of foreign nationals arrested for alleged involvement in drug trade in 2014 was 15, while six persons each were arrested in the next two years. Notwithstanding the sustained campaign by the police, data about narcotic seizure indicates a clear increase in the supply of heroin, cocaine and smack. “Heroin which is being smuggled into India is bought at the rate of Rs 2,500 per gm and sold here in Kullu-Manali at the rate of Rs 6,500 per gm, mainly to foreigners,” admitted police officials. Though there has been a crackdown by the state government on the illegal cultivation of cannabis and poppy which is grown to get charas and opium the new worry now is to contain the smuggling of heroin, cocaine and smack.
In 2014, a total of 644 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which involved seizure of 557.44 gms of heroin and 206.21 gms of smack and 69 gms of cocaine. In 2015, the number of NDPS cases was 622 but seizure of heroin was 385.91 gms and 157.55 gms of smack. In 2016, a total of 929 cases under NDPS Act were registered with 634.65 gms of heroin and 209.36 gms of smack being seized.
