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Drug abuse: Delhi police close
in on the rich and famous

Kavita Bajeli-Datt in New Delhi

The Delhi police is convinced that a host of the city's glitterati is into cocaine, but are collecting evidence to ensure that the case against them would stand up in a court of law.

After arresting a hotelier while buying cocaine from an Afghan drug dealer, the police have stumbled on a trail of high-profile "coke" addicts that reads like a virtual who's who of models, fashion designers and businessmen.

"We have a list of socialites who buy cocaine on a daily basis. Right now we're busy collecting evidence against them," a senior police official told IANS.

The widespread drug abuse came to light when detectives arrested Neeraj Wadhera, who owns Hotel Hans Plaza, following a sting operation in south Delhi on Friday night.

He was caught buying 1 gram of cocaine from Afghan national Nakibullah alias Ali, who the police say has since given them names of dozens of socialites who bought cocaine from him.

"Ali told us that at least four days a week party-goers latch on to coke for a high. On Sundays they pop anti-depressant Alprex to soothe their nerves."

Ali said Wadhera is a habitual cocaine user. "We questioned his (Wadhera's) hotel staff and they confirmed our suspicions."

Ali reportedly confessed that his consumers included models and fashion designers as well as sons and daughters of industrialists and several businessmen themselves.

But officers are not ready to reveal any names, although some sources have said detectives could be checking up on as many as 100 men and women.

"We are moving cautiously. These people can afford to hire top lawyers and we don't want to be hauled up by the court after our painstaking investigations," a senior officer said.

Police said Ali used to get his supply from a Nigerian, Chinadu Olisabnezi, and a Malawi, Jonathan alias Jojo. Both were arrested on Saturday near a cinema complex in south Delhi.

Ali, who came to India six years ago, had come in contact with the two Africans last year through a woman who lives in Noida. The two Africans had been living in Delhi for four years.

The woman, whose identity the police are not revealing, is also said to be into drug dealing. "It was her husband who was initially supplying drugs in Delhi. But he left the country, and Ali took up from him.

"Ali told us he used to get his supply on Wednesday, and by Saturday it would all be sold out. It is not clear whether the cocaine users were addicts or fell for it at parties," the officer said.

Police said they are also trying to find out how the two Africans got their supply.

Though police said they have no reason to disbelieve what Ali has told them, they are moving cautiously before they slap charges against the rich and famous of the capital.

Indo-Asian News Service

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