The new drug queens of Mumbai

Shabina Khan, Nilofer Sheikh, Najama Sheikh, Mehemuda Shaikh and Fatima Sheikh

While drug peddling may be seen as a profession dominated by men, Mumbai police's arrests of women drug dealers in recent years have shown that they can be equally adept at and hardy managers of the business. Deaths and arrests of drug dealers in the city led to the wives of many such men inheriting the business and running it. mid-day profiles five such women who have been arrested by the police over the years.

The women drug dealers operate out of rented or owned huts in slums and employ several peddlers. Representation Pic

Shabina Khan's husband, Sarfaraz, a seasoned drug dealer was externed by Mumbai police. Then Shabina took the charge of the business, with 20 to 25 drugs peddlers working for her. Residing in Kurla, she was arrested by the Worli unit of ANC with drugs worth Rs 50 lakh. She has two hours and a car registered in someone else's name.

Only cash transactions
According to a police officer, since most of the transactions are conducted in cash, drug dealers buy property for cash but not in their own name. The properties are usually registered in the name of their relatives or friends. In slums, they buy huts which are not in their names and often do not have any relevant documentation, thus making hiding their income possible.

Another such female drug lord Najama Ahmed Sheikh was arrested by the ANC's Ghatkopar unit and drugs worth R73 lakh were seized. Najama's husband, Ahmed Sheikh alias Bhura, is jailed on murder charges. Najama lives in Mahim and it was found that drugs were stored in her rented house in Kurla. She has 35-40 peddlers selling drugs in posh areas from Worli to Andheri. She also has a car in which she delivers drugs.

Another dealer, Nilofer Sheikh, lives in a Bandra slum. According to a police source, Nilofer keeps in touch with Shabina and sells drugs with her. Nilofer's husband died 20 years ago after which she entered the trade to manage household expenses. She operated without getting arrested for 15 years. She was arrested by the ANC with 306 grams of MD and heroin worth Rs 6 lakh.

Hard to catch
Police said the women work "viciously" and are hard to catch as women police personnel are not always available to search them.

Another drug dealer is Fatima Sheikh alias Khala of Chembur. Her husband has several cases at different city police stations. Mumbai police had seized 25 kg of hemp from Fatima. She was granted bail due to COVID on medical grounds.

She is unable to walk properly and employs many peddlers. The gang has hired some huts in Govandi from where they operate.

The Unit number IV of the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested Mehemuda Kadar Shaikh alias Wakdi a few months ago from P D'mello Road with heroin worth R20 lakh. Mehemuda and her husband, Kadar, operate the drug business together - one works when the other is in jail. She was arrested while Kadar, too, was in jail. She resides in a slum near Bandra station.

The last drug peddler is Sasikala, better known as Baby Patankar, is one of the most well-known women drug peddlers. Her name came up in a 2015 case when 114 kg of a white substance seized by Satara police turned out to be Ajinomoto. Her arrest led to the dismissal of constable Dharmaraj Kalokhe and embarrassment for Mumbai and Satara police.

Need more women cops
An ANC officer told mid-day, "Drug dealers often use women in their trade. There should be a team of female police officers to search for such accused. A woman officer is not available all the time or every time. We can't arrest women drug peddlers at night and many take advantage of this."

ANC's Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade told mid-day, "The Mumbai ANC keeps an eye on every drug peddlers. Those who work with them are also monitored. It is often seen that when a drug peddler is arrested, someone in his or her household takes over."

40
Approx. no. of peddlers working for Najama Sheikh