Mumbai Crime: 75-year-old Bandra woman held for running drug business

Joharabi Sheikh is believed to have bought several properties in slum pockets (right) Kishore Gawali apparently has been a part of Sheikh’s business since his childhood, said Crime Branch officers

A 75-year-old woman who ran a drug syndicate with a set of known customers and loyal peddlers was arrested from Bandra on Sunday. The Crime Branch has recovered charas worth Rs 1.2 crore from her home. It has also arrested a 57-year-old peddler.

The police said the kingpin, Joharabi Sheikh, had never come on their radar despite being in the business for several years.

"We had information about a peddler selling drugs under a peepal tree in Bandra. The location was used as a landmark for other peddlers who would come to take their consignments and distribute drugs to others," said Manish Shridhankar, senior inspector from Unit 07 of the Crime Branch.

The cops first got hold of seller Kishore Gawali and recovered from him 160 grams of charas, also popular among users as pure quality Manali cream. "During interrogation, he revealed about a 75-year-old woman living in Chinchawadi slums. We raided her home and seized 1.8 kg of charas worth Rs 1,18,80,000," said Shridhankar.

The police said Sheikh was into the business for decades and Gawali had been with her from his childhood. Sheikh entered the business following the death of her elder sisters. "They have been supplying only to known customers through trusted peddlers. That's why they never came into the picture," said a Crime Branch officer.

The cops have also found that Sheikh has purchased several properties in slum pockets. A holiday court remanded Sheikh and Gawali in police custody.

57
Age in years of the drug peddler arrested apart from Sheikh