Maninder’s drug procurer not a peddler, say police

Delhi Police said that Saim Siddiqui used to procure cocaine only for former cricketer Maninder Singh and was not a drug peddler, reports Vijaita Singh.

Delhi Police on Thursday said that Saim Naseem Siddiqui used to procure cocaine only for former cricketer Maninder Singh and was not a drug peddler.

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“On an average, Siddiqui used to buy cocaine every 10 days. He used to procure it only for Maninder Singh. We are trying to find out his source,” said A.S. Cheema, deputy commissioner of police (narcotics).

The police said that it was Siddiqui who used to handle the financial transactions of the former cricketer. “Maninder Singh had given his ATM card to Siddiqui, so that he could withdraw money whenever he had to buy the drugs,” said a senior police officer.

There was no immediate monetary transaction whenever Siddiqui procured the drugs for Maninder Singh, said the police.
Maninder Singh, who retired as player in the early 1990s, was arrested close to his house in Preet Vihar on Tuesday morning. He was allegedly caught receiving a pouch containing 1.5 g cocaine hidden in a batting glove from Siddiqui.
Siddiqui who was also Maninder Singh's assistant in his coaching institute, was also arrested. Siddiqui who has been in police custody for two days told his interrogators that he did not sell drugs to any other cricketer nor did he have nay other customer.