Dharamshala (HP), April 7 A resident of Shimla was arrested with 1.25 kilograms of charas and Rs 1 lakh in cash on the Mandi-Pathankot highway in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, police said on Tuesday.
According to officials, a police team from the Kandwal police post was conducting routine vehicle checks on the highway late on Monday evening when the driver of a black Hyundai Creta, heading from the Jassur side, attempted to abruptly turn the car, raising suspicion.
Acting swiftly, the police team intercepted the vehicle.
During a thorough search conducted in the presence of independent witnesses, they recovered 1.256 kilograms of charas from a bag concealed under a spare tyre in the car's boot, said Kulbhushan Verma, Superintendent of Police, Nurpur.
Police also recovered Rs 1 lakh in cash from the same bag.
The accused driver has been identified as Ram Kumar (52), a resident of Kumarsain in Shimla district.
Police have seized the drug, cash, and the vehicle used for smuggling, and registered a case under Sections 20 and 25 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
During interrogation, Ram Kumar revealed that he runs a roadside eatery in the Kullu-Manali area.
An investigation is underway to trace the source of the contraband and identify the intended recipients, police said.