Cocaine is back in focus. And in Delhi's context, it assumes special significance because in the last few years, the Capital has become a major market of cocaine — a favourite with the rich and often considered a status symbol. Delhi has a well entrenched network of suppliers, both national and international, couriers and users. No big party in the city rocks without drugs, especially cocaine, which is popularly called Charlie.
Though the cops are aware of the racket, the drug only seems to be gaining ground in the city, with ample support from the high and mighty. We investigated the expanding network of the drug, which has again come under media glare with the alleged presence of cocaine at the party that led to Pramod Mahajan's son Rahul being hospitalised and the death of his secretary Vivek Moitra. The Kashmir connection The most disturbing aspect of the cocaine trade in the city is the presence of a large number of Kashmiris as peddlers. A case in point is Sahil Ahmad Zaroo, the fourth youth present with Rahul Mahajan when the tragedy occurred also hails from Kashmir. According to sources, Kashmir is one of the routes for cocaine to enter India from Pakistan.
The Valley youths, who earlier used to trade in pashminas and at times, the banned shahtoosh, has now found a more lucrative option in cocaine. Which is why there is a rise in the number of Kashmiri dealers in the distribution chain of the highly addictive and banned stuff in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, rich tourist spots like Goa and further south. African linkages Nigerians are another large group in the city's cocaine racket, present as peddlers and users.
{{/usCountry}}The Valley youths, who earlier used to trade in pashminas and at times, the banned shahtoosh, has now found a more lucrative option in cocaine. Which is why there is a rise in the number of Kashmiri dealers in the distribution chain of the highly addictive and banned stuff in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, rich tourist spots like Goa and further south. African linkages Nigerians are another large group in the city's cocaine racket, present as peddlers and users.
{{/usCountry}}They operate in posh South Delhi colonies and get supplies from African countries, a transit point in the international route originating in Columbia and heading to Europe via Delhi/Mumbai. A large part of the consignment is also sold in India for consum ption. According to officials of the Narcotics Branch, the cocaine racketeers also move heroin from India to other countries.
India is one of the biggest producers of high quality heroin and in exchange for
heroin, they get cocaine. Married to intoxication Another alarming trend is that of the African operators marrying girls from the insurgency hit states of the North East. Cops say that marriage helps them to smuggle drugs to India as these girls are used as couriers. The drugs also reach states like Manipur and Nagaland both of which are dry states, which makes it easy for the young to turn to drugs.
Until a concerted campaign is launched from the highest levels to dissuade these peddlers, the business would go on booming as there is no dearth of rich kids in Delhi who can blow Rs 10,000- 20,000 for snorting cocaine.
— With inputs by Jaydeep Ghosh
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