Women and teenagers are dominating the clandestine drug business in the city’s Mohammadpur residential area.

The statistics of arrests made by Mohammadpur police over the last one year reveal that more than 50 percent of the drug sellers were women.

"We arrested more than a hundred drug sellers in the last six months, half of them were women. When they get bail, they return to the same business," said a duty officer of Mohammadpur Police Station.

He said nearly one-third of the drug sellers are teenagers who are also victims of drugs.

Most drug sellers live in the slums of the

sweeper colony and Geneva Camp, locals alleged. The men are engaged in collection and supply of drugs and maintaining liaison with local gangsters to run the business smoothly.

Some of the women came to this trade to earn a living and some were compelled by their addict husband, father or brother or the gangsters.

"My father brought me in this business and after my marriage I continued as my husband is also doing the same job," said Asma, 25, who is involved in drug business for the last nine years.

Fulbanu, Haseda, Afroza, Noor Aktari, Alekzan, Pori Banu, Rahcla, Razia, Sahida

Begum, Shabana Begum are the few names who were arrested by the police in Mohammadpur in the last three months. Most of them have come out of custody and resumed the business.

The police sources admitted that whenever they raid the areas they can arrest only the sellers, not the dealers and suppliers.

Mohammadpur Sweeper Colony, Town Hall market and Geneva Camp have become dens of drug traders who dare to sell drugs openly in the marketplace. Hundreds of addicts gather here to buy drug everyday.

Noorjahan Begum (not her real name) sells 80gm to 90gm heroin a day. "Our customers are mostly teenagers who comes from different parts of the city. They mainly take Phensidyl and heroin," she said.

Most of the sellers let their customers use their rooms at the slums. "This spot is popular because we provide safe place for the addicts, especially those who prefer heroin," said Noorjahan.

Fourteen-year-old Tani sells heroin in front of the sweeper colony. She said her mother is also involved in this business and father is an addict.

"My mother asked me to sell Puria when I was reading in class six. My father takes my earnings for usingdrug," saidTani.

At the Mohammadpur kitchen market, drugs are available like any essential item. Dipankor, a regular customer of drugs, said he comes to Mohammadpur for safety reason. "Policeseldom raid this place."

The locals are irritated with this drug business. "The addicts are disturbing our normal life as they roam around the area," said Zafar Ahmed, a local resident. "They are also involved in theft."

Mohammadpur police however said they regularly raid the area and arrest suspected criminals and drug traders.