Navi Mumbai Police Crack Down On 4 Women In Drug Network

The Navi Mumbai Police have intensified their crackdown on the city's drug network, taking action against four women allegedly involved in large-scale narcotics trafficking. The four accused, Shantabai Karandekar, Sitabai Ingle, Rani Joseph, and Lali Gani Sheikh, together face 22 criminal cases.

Shantabai Karandekar, accused of running a drug racket in the Digha area, has eight cases registered against her and has been booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). She is currently lodged in Byculla Jail.

Sitabai Ingle faces six criminal cases and was arrested in a narcotics case registered at Turbhe Police Station. She is also lodged in Byculla Jail. Rani Joseph, against whom two cases are registered, was arrested on August 25 in connection with a case registered at Khandeshwar Police Station.

Lali Gani Sheikh, who has six cases registered against her, has been externed from Maharashtra under a High Court order in connection with a case registered at Turbhe Police Station.

The police are verifying whether further preventive action can be initiated against others linked to the drug supply network. The action is part of the Navi Mumbai Police's 'Nasha-Mukt Navi Mumbai' campaign launched in January 2025 under the Maharashtra government's zero-tolerance policy against drugs.

Over the past three years, the commissionerate has arrested 2,919 people for drug trafficking and seized 1,027 kg of narcotic substances worth around Rs 142 crore. Police have also taken action against 1,822 drug consumers and initiated preventive action against 300 habitual offenders.

The Navi Mumbai Police have established dedicated Anti-Narcotics Cells in every police station, becoming the first police commissionerate in Maharashtra to implement such a system. The initiative has helped improve surveillance of local drug networks and enabled quicker action against traffickers.

The commissionerate has also cracked an international hydro-ganja racket through special drives, 'Operation Garuda' and 'Operation Prahar', during which 250 foreign nationals were arrested and 2,211 were deported to their respective countries.

The crackdown on the drug network is a significant step towards making Navi Mumbai a drug-free city. The police's efforts to strengthen anti-drug operations and take action against traffickers will help to reduce the supply of narcotics in the city.

The 'Nasha-Mukt Navi Mumbai' campaign has been successful in reducing drug-related crimes in the city, and the police's continued efforts will help to maintain this momentum. The campaign is an example of the Maharashtra government's commitment to tackling the issue of drug trafficking in the state.

In conclusion, the Navi Mumbai Police's crackdown on the drug network is a positive step towards creating a safer and healthier environment for the city's residents. The police's efforts to take action against traffickers and reduce the supply of narcotics will help to reduce drug-related crimes and make Navi Mumbai a better place to live.