‘Ice-cream vendor’ caught with over 1 kg of cannabis in Old Delhi

A middle-aged drug peddler impersonating an ice cream vendor was caught by a beat constable in central Delhi with more than 1.32 kilograms of cannabis, police said.

Manoj Kumar Rai allegedly used a bicycle to move around the area and sell the contraband while giving the impression that he was an ice-cream vendor, they said.

On August 8, around 5.30 pm, Constable Suraj was on patrol when he noticed Rai near the MCD Nursery close to Ramlila Ground.

“Something about his movement aroused suspicion, following which the constable noticed that he was carrying a bag from which a strong smell of ganja was emanating,” a police officer said.

Suraj immediately alerted his duty officer, following which another staffer reached the spot and Rai was apprehended.

A search of his bag led to the recovery of over 1 kg of cannabis, the officer said.

Rai, a native of Chhapra district in Bihar, was living in the Sabzi Mandi-Ghanta Ghar area of Delhi.

“During interrogation, Rai disclosed that he had entered the illegal trade to earn easy money and overcome financial difficulties. We are questioning him to ascertain where he procured the contraband,” the officer said.

Rai was produced before a judge and sent to one day’s police custody.