Navi Mumbai Police Take Action Against 4 Women Linked to Drug Trafficking
The Navi Mumbai Police have intensified their crackdown on narcotics trafficking by taking stringent legal action against four women operating across Digha, Turbhe, and Khandeshwar. Together, the four accused face 22 criminal cases, with two currently lodged in Byculla Jail, one booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), and another externed from Maharashtra.
According to the Anti-Narcotics Cell, the accused have been identified as Shantabai Karandekar, Sitabai Ingle, Rani Joseph, and Lali Gani Sheikh. Shantabai Karandekar, who has eight registered cases against her, is accused of running a narcotics network in the Digha area for the past seven to eight years through intimidation. She has been booked under MCOCA and is currently lodged in Byculla Jail.
Sitabai Ingle, who faces six criminal cases, was arrested in connection with a narcotics case registered at Turbhe Police Station and is also lodged in Byculla Jail. Rani Joseph, facing two cases, was arrested on August 25 following a case registered at Khandeshwar Police Station. Lali Gani Sheikh, named in six cases, has been externed from Maharashtra under a High Court order linked to a case at Turbhe Police Station.
Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade of the Anti-Narcotics Cell stated that the accused women were actively involved in the local narcotics supply chain. He noted that strong legal measures have been executed and that investigators are verifying whether further preventive action can be initiated against other individuals tied to the network.
The enforcement action is part of the 'Nasha-Mukt Navi Mumbai' campaign launched in January 2025 under the state government's zero-tolerance policy against narcotics. Over the past three years, the commissionerate has arrested 2,919 people for drug trafficking, seized 1,027 kg of narcotics valued at around Rs 142 crore, acted against 1,822 consumers, and initiated preventive action against 300 habitual offenders.
To boost local monitoring, the Navi Mumbai Police have established dedicated Anti-Narcotics Cells in every police station, making it the first commissionerate in Maharashtra to set up such a system.
