‘Bhabhi’ had a well-knit drug nexus in city

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 29

Drug peddler Poonam, who was nabbed with 270 gm of heroin, 200 banned injections and Rs 6 lakh, was known as “Bhabhi” in Chandigarh and neighbouring states. Poonam had a well-knit drug nexus and several cases registered against her in Chandigarh.

Poonam was arrested by a team under the supervision of Inspector Rajdeep Singh, SHO of the Sector 39 police station, on Tuesday. Sources said the contraband seized from the woman was worth over Rs 15 lakh.

The 33-year-old drug peddler, who enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle, owns a house in Sector 40 and used high-end mobile phones.

Her neighbours said on condition of anonymity that Poonam had accumulated a lot of wealth in the past few years. “She enjoyed an affluent lifestyle. It is an open secret that she used to sell drugs in the city,” said one of her neighbours. 

People residing in the area said Poonam used her children as carriers to supply drugs. “Her children were frequently seen handing over packets to people who used to visit the house to buy drugs,” said another neighbour.

The UT police had booked Poonam in several cases, including theft, burglary, rioting, snatching and under the NDPS Act. In three cases, she was acquitted. 

Poonam hails from a family that has a dark past. Her husband Sikander is in jail in an NDPS case. Sikander had at least six cases registered against him in the past. 

Poonam’s sister Nirmala, alias Nimmo, was arrested by the Chandigarh Police in July this year with 30 gm of heroin and 30 banned injections. Nimmo was arrested by a team of the Maloya police.

“Poonam and her husband’s name figures on the list of bad characters prepared by the Chandigarh Police,” said a police source. 

Her aunt Bala (49), a resident of Sector 38, has seven cases registered against her. In two of the cases, she has been convicted.

Police sources said members the family were drug lords of the city.