Navi Mumbai Police Crack Down On Drug Network; 4 Women Face 22 Criminal Cases

Navi Mumbai Police have cracked down on a drug network, targeting four women accused of large-scale narcotics trafficking. The women, Shantabai Karandekar, Sitabai Ingle, Rani Joseph, and Lali Gani Sheikh, face 22 criminal cases combined. Two are currently incarcerated, one faces charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), and another has been expelled from Maharashtra.

The Anti-Narcotics Cell identified the women as those running a drug racket in Digha for the past seven to eight years. Police are investigating if further preventive actions can be taken against others involved in the drug supply network. Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade of the Anti-Narcotics Cell stated that strong legal action has been taken against the accused, and further actions against others associated with the drug network are being examined.

This crackdown is part of the Nasha-Mukt Navi Mumbai campaign launched in January 2025, which aims to eradicate drug abuse. The police have already arrested 2,919 individuals for drug trafficking and seized 1,027 kg of narcotics worth Rs 142 crore.