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India's scenic drug haven
By Baldev Chauhan
BBC correspondent in Himachal Pradesh
Nestling among snow-capped mountains and surrounded by apple orchards, Manali is a pleasant north-western Indian hill town.
At 6,000 feet (1,850 metres), the resort's grassy meadows, wild flowers and wooded slopes are a major draw to tourists from home and abroad.
But in recent years, the idyllic hill town at the north of what is known as the Kullu valley, has gained a notorious reputation as a centre of the cannabis trade.
The recent death in suspicious circumstances of 25-year-old British tourist Anna Hamilton, who had a history of drug trading, has reinforced that reputation.
Missing foreigners
Since 1992, 15 foreigners have gone missing in the valley in Himachal Pradesh state, according to the Indian police.
The UK-based pressure group Fair Trials Abroad alleges that 50 westerners have disappeared in the region in the last decade or so.
Some 35,000 foreign tourists visit the Kullu valley every year.
The police say there has been in a boom in arrivals from Israel in the past three years seeking an escape from the troubles back home.
Police say some foreigners are involved in cannabis smuggling, while others marry local women and stay on.
Drug seizures have also gone up.
In the past two years, the police has seized 545 kilograms of cannabis and arrested 273 people, including 75 foreigners, in the valley on drug-related charges.
Cannabis - known here as 'charas' - that is grown in the valley can fetch up to $22,000 per kilogram in the international market, according to the police.
Choice and variety
Buyers have a variety of fancily-named cannabis strains to choose from.
There is an Afghani hybrid named, somewhat menacingly, the AK-47, after the popular rifle.
Then there is a central Russian strain, Russian Mist.
Other cannabis varieties have quirky names such as Dope Oil, Manali Charm and Space Ball.
The locally grown, extremely refined variety, Malana Cream is reported to have won prizes in an annual cannabis competition in Amsterdam.
The police says most drug deals are struck in parties celebrating the full moon in Manali and other towns in the valley.
The booming drug trade is driving locals to grow newer varieties as well.
In recent years they have adopted a Dutch genetic technology to ensure that the hemp plant-source of cannabis-grows plentifully.
Story from BBC NEWS
By Baldev Chauhan
BBC correspondent in Himachal Pradesh
Nestling among snow-capped mountains and surrounded by apple orchards, Manali is a pleasant north-western Indian hill town.
At 6,000 feet (1,850 metres), the resort's grassy meadows, wild flowers and wooded slopes are a major draw to tourists from home and abroad.
But in recent years, the idyllic hill town at the north of what is known as the Kullu valley, has gained a notorious reputation as a centre of the cannabis trade.
The recent death in suspicious circumstances of 25-year-old British tourist Anna Hamilton, who had a history of drug trading, has reinforced that reputation.
Missing foreigners
Since 1992, 15 foreigners have gone missing in the valley in Himachal Pradesh state, according to the Indian police.
The UK-based pressure group Fair Trials Abroad alleges that 50 westerners have disappeared in the region in the last decade or so.
Some 35,000 foreign tourists visit the Kullu valley every year.
The police say there has been in a boom in arrivals from Israel in the past three years seeking an escape from the troubles back home.
Police say some foreigners are involved in cannabis smuggling, while others marry local women and stay on.
Drug seizures have also gone up.
In the past two years, the police has seized 545 kilograms of cannabis and arrested 273 people, including 75 foreigners, in the valley on drug-related charges.
Cannabis - known here as 'charas' - that is grown in the valley can fetch up to $22,000 per kilogram in the international market, according to the police.
Choice and variety
Buyers have a variety of fancily-named cannabis strains to choose from.
There is an Afghani hybrid named, somewhat menacingly, the AK-47, after the popular rifle.
Then there is a central Russian strain, Russian Mist.
Other cannabis varieties have quirky names such as Dope Oil, Manali Charm and Space Ball.
The locally grown, extremely refined variety, Malana Cream is reported to have won prizes in an annual cannabis competition in Amsterdam.
The police says most drug deals are struck in parties celebrating the full moon in Manali and other towns in the valley.
The booming drug trade is driving locals to grow newer varieties as well.
In recent years they have adopted a Dutch genetic technology to ensure that the hemp plant-source of cannabis-grows plentifully.
Story from BBC NEWS
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