Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 19: A Special NDPS Sessions Court has sentenced 55-year-old Shakir Mohammad Hussain Retiwala to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lac after convicting him in a major narcotics case involving more than 7,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup.

Retiwala, a cloth merchant residing in Kapadia Nagar, Kurla, was arrested in February 2020 when the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) Ghatkopar Unit intercepted him near Nana Tyre Service on Shanta Jog Marg, Chembur. During routine patrols, officers seized 7,040 bottles of codeine phosphate–laden cough syrup, with an estimated value of Rs 14.08 lac.

Following the recovery, the ANC registered a case under Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the NDPS Act, 1985. Police Inspector Vishal Khaire led the investigation and filed the chargesheet within the statutory period.

The matter came up for hearing on 18 November 2025 before the Special Sessions Court (Court No. 42). After reviewing the prosecution’s evidence, the court found Retiwala guilty and sentenced him to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment in addition to the monetary penalty.

According to ANC officials, the case was monitored by Police Inspector Sashank Shelke. The prosecution team comprised complainant Sharad Devaji Yadav and advocates Sanjay Suryavanshi, Hemant Gore, and Chandni Kotambe.