J&K replaces Himachal as Mumbai’s ‘main charas supplier’

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, November 6

Jammu and Kashmir has replaced Himachal Pradesh as the main supply point for ‘charas’ to Mumbai and other cities in western India, according to police sources here.

While the variety of charas which comes from J&K is harder and blacker, the type available from Himachal Pradesh is softer and of a lighter colour. Even the names appended to the contraband by addicts and suppliers are as colourful. Charas from J&K is called ‘kala saboon’ while that from HP is labelled ‘rabdi’.

Officials from the anti-narcotic cell of the police say the ‘charas’ entering western India from J&K is produced in the troubled border districts of Baramulla and Anantnag. These are brought into the city by a well-organised network of smugglers.

The ‘charas’ originating from Himachal is grown in the area of Mandi in Manali and goes by the name ‘Malana Creme’ since cultivation happens in the relatively inaccessible village of Malana.

“Malana Creme used to be brought to Mumbai by Israeli and western tourists who swap ‘charas’ for synthetic drugs. But a crackdown by the Himachal Pradesh authorities has restricted supply,” says a police officer.

On the other hand supply from J&K continues unabated, according to the officer.

So far this year, the police in Mumbai have seized nearly 44 kg of ‘charas’ as against just 4.12 kg last year, according to sources. The security agencies have for long flagged the smuggling of drugs from J&K as one of the sources of funding for militants in the region.

With the seizures going up, the authorities have started a crackdown on known drug dealers in the city forcing them to go underground.

Police suspect that many hookah parlours operating illegally in Mumbai provide ‘charas’ to addicts.