Pubdate: Sat, 01 Sep 2001 Source: Times of India, The (India) Copyright: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2001 Contact: http://www.timesofindia.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/453 Author: Rahul Chhabra, Times News Network Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women) WOMEN CONTROL HALF OF DRUG TRADE NEW DELHI: Women are more than equal partners to men in the Capital's drug trade. In several pockets, they have even outdone their male counterparts in terms of trade volumes. At least 15 women drug dealers, some from affluent backgrounds, are said to be active in the city. They account for almost half the drug trade, estimated to have a turnover of Rs 100 crore. "Till two decades ago, most of them were operating as bootleggers from congested areas. But bigger profit margins and changing customer preference saw them graduating to the drug trade," said DCP narcotics D L Kashyap. In fact, five of these 15 women are operating independently. "The activities of these 'self-made' women drug dealers are concentrated mainly around Sultanpuri, Mangolpuri and Rohini," said an official. Usha Kumar is one of them. Till 10 years ago, her husband was earning a living as a cycle-rickshaw puller. But when she was arrested in April this year, Rs 49,000 in cash and three kg of smack were found in her house in Ashok Nagar. From 1998 to July this year, 37 women involved in this trade have been arrested. The major seizures were from Vijay Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Vishwas Nagar and Kashmere Gate. Women are initiated in the drug trade as carriers. "A woman carrier evokes lesser suspicion. Also, it's not always possible to frisk her as woman police don't patrol so often," said a police official. Women are encouraged to work in groups and even involve their kin, specifically their teenaged daughters. This is more common in women from nomadic tribes. One such case came to light in Parmanand Colony, where Jahir, a woman drug dealer, was arrested along with her woman accomplice, code-named "Cobra". In some West Delhi colonies, women dealers have trained their girls to cater to customers. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager