Ex-international wrestler detained for smuggling drugs from Himachal Pradesh

Hanumant told police that he had participated in international junior wrestling tournaments. (representative)

New Delhi:

Delhi Police has arrested two people, including a former international wrestler, for smuggling chala from Himachal Pradesh and selling it here, an official said on Wednesday.

The police recovered 350 grams of chala worth over Rs 10 lakh from the accused, which was transported in a Mercedes-Benz car, the official said.

The accused have been identified as former wrestlers Hanumante (30) and Adnan Ahmed (32), police said.

“On Monday evening, the team received a tip-off that drug traffickers were procuring chala from Malana in Himachal Pradesh and further selling the same in different areas of Delhi, National Capital Territory and other parts of India,” Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Sanjay Bhatia said.

A team was formed and a trap was laid near Wazirabad flyover and the two persons in a Mercedes-Benz were arrested, police said.

On interrogation, they revealed that they procured the chala from Malana village in Kullu district. Bhatia further said that, therefore, a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act.

Hanumant told police that he had participated in international junior wrestling competitions. He also competed at the national level in the “Super Heavyweight” category.

“During the 2014 competition, he was injured and bedridden. After that, he made bad friends and started taking drugs.” Another CP said.

The official further said Hanumant became a drug addict and used to buy chala from Delhi but it was expensive.

“So he went to Malana to buy chala. He bought these chala for his own consumption and further sold them at higher prices. Another accused Adnan came in contact with Hanumant during the lockdown,” the officials said.

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