In a major drug bust, Delhi Police arrested a couple from Himachal Pradesh who were allegedly transporting high-grade hashish — known as Malana Cream — worth over ₹5 crore (approximately USD 1.5 million) to the national capital. The arrest took place after a trained sniffer dog, Ammo, detected the contraband hidden in their car during a late-night operation.
The accused, identified as Chunni Lal and his wife Thela Devi, both residents of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, were intercepted on their way to Delhi earlier this week. According to police, the couple had been making similar road trips for years, using the same route from Mandi to the capital — but this time, their plan was foiled.
Dog Squad Leads to Breakthrough
The narcotics were discovered by Ammo, a K9 unit member of the Delhi Police’s Special Operations team, who signaled the presence of concealed substances in their vehicle. Upon inspection, officers found more than 3.5 kilograms of high-quality Malana Cream, a form of hashish cultivated in the remote Malana Valley of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh — considered one of the finest in the world.
The operation, led by ACP Sanjay Naglal along with Inspectors Mankesh Tyagi and Robin Tyagi, was conducted based on a specific intelligence input. “The couple’s movements had raised suspicion, and our team began tracking their car immediately after it was spotted. The vehicle was eventually stopped near Mukandpur Chowk in North Delhi after a five-kilometre chase,” said DCP Sanjeev Yadav.
Smuggling Under the Guise of a Family Trip
During interrogation, Chunni Lal reportedly admitted that he often travelled with his wife to avoid police suspicion. “He believed that the presence of a woman in the car would make police less likely to search their vehicle,” an officer said.
The investigation revealed that the couple was part of a larger interstate narcotics network targeting potential customers ahead of a major music event in Delhi-NCR. The arrests are being described as a significant blow to the region’s drug trafficking operations.
Link to Source in Himachal’s High Hills
Following their arrest, police traced the supply chain back to Kullu district, where a local cultivator, Prakash Chand, was detained. Chand allegedly sourced hashish from Nepali farmers working in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh.
According to officials, Chunni Lal had a prior conviction under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Himachal Pradesh and had served a 10-year prison term before being released in 2023. Investigators say he resumed illegal activities soon after his release.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are now probing the couple’s network to identify other key players involved in the smuggling operation. Samples of the seized contraband have been sent for forensic testing, and further arrests are likely in the coming days.
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