Thaindian News

Lalru (Punjab), Aug 13 (IANS) Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) sleuths Thursday arrested a Canadian national in Punjab and seized more than 2 kg charas (cannabis) from his possession.
According to officials, the Canadian, only identified as Milstein, was arrested by NCB officials near Dappar toll plaza here, some 25 km from Chandigarh.

NCB zonal director in Chandigarh S.K.Sekhri told IANS that the Canadian was arrested following a tip-off, and 2.4 kilogram of charas (cannabis) was seized from him.

“His interrogation is on and the picture will become more clear by tomorrow (Friday) morning,” he said.

Sekhri declined to comment on the probability of Milstein’s linkages with other drug smugglers of the region.

“We cannot jump on an instant conclusion straightaway. Our investigation is on and we are hoping to get vital clues after the interrogation,” he said.

NCB sources said that Milstein, who was in his mid-50s, was a resident of Montreal city and had come to India on a vacation.

He was returning to New Delhi from Kullu-Manali in Himachal Pradesh in a car, which he was driving himself. He was expected to board a flight back to Canada in a couple of days.

Kullu Valley is known for illegal cultivation of opium and high-quality charas. The Malana cream variety from the valley is considered one of the best in the international drug market.

In February this year, Chandigarh’s Alliance Francaise former director Isabelle Normand was also arrested with charas in Kullu, following which she was deported to France.