PUNE: The Khadak police on Monday filed a chargesheet against notorious gangster Arti Misal and eight members of her gang for running a drug trafficking racket. They have been charged under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The police submitted in the court of Special Judge SH Gwalani that the gang had its operations across the city and Mumbai as well. In December 2017, the gang members were arrested and 100 grams brown sugar, 2.5 kg charas, a car, a scooter, and cash and ornaments worth Rs 12,81,000 were recovered from them.

According to the chargesheet, Aarti’s syndicate members were involved in the narcotics trade. She bought two flats worth Rs 40 lakh. She was also in the process to buy flats in Majestique City in Wagholi and Keystone Society in Undri. “She has purchased ornaments worth Rs 8 lakh. We have learnt she has bank lockers and an investigation is going on,” said Senior Police Inspector Rajendra Mokashi, in-charge of Khadak police station.

The other accused were identified as Pooja Misal, Nilofar Sheikh, Rocky Singh Kalyani and Azhar alias Chuha Sheikh, all residents of Pune. Gopinath Navnath Misal (22) of Lohiyanagar and Hussain Papa Sheikh (28) of Mumbai, were arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Cell from Ghorpade Peth on December 1 last year. They used to purchase their drugs from Aysha alias Ashabai Sheikh and Julaikhabi Sheikh, both residents of Mumbai, both of whom are absconding. All the accused are criminals on record.  

The investigation team included PI (Crime) Sambhaji Shirke, PSIs Sanjay Gaikwad, Anant Vyawhare, and police personnel Aniket Babar, Rahul Joshi, Mahesh Baravkar, Mahesh Kamble. ACP Kishor Naik is investigating the case.