Drug dealers, their families and dirty money (From Asian Image)

Drug dealers, their families and dirty money

11:43am Monday 19th February 2007 in News features By Asian Image reporter

Rather than being criticised are drug dealers lavished with praise by their families?

Does the belief that drug dealers and their accomplices in many Asian neighbourhoods are being commended for their new found financial success' by their relatives actually hold true?

Or is it, much like the stereotypical view of Asians' and Drug dealing' - totally unfounded.

According to a common view some Asian families previously renowned for their high morals and principles now no longer care what those around them think.

"Some drug dealers live opposite mosques and everyone in the neighbourhood knows that person is a drug dealer but the family rather than do something about it are almost proud their son or daughter is making money." says 52-year old Mujahid.

"I have sat among some people and they will say their son is working for a big company when everyone knows he is a drug pusher.

"It never used to be like this. When someone got involved in drugs or crime of any nature the family would be their first critic."

"Many years ago if someone within the family unit found themselves on the wrong side of the law he or she was ostracised for their actions."

The Asian family would stand for many things but crimes like drug dealing was not one them.

Mumtaz, a father of four teenagers said, "Not every Asian with a bit of money is a drug dealer. That view is rubbish.

"However, in my neighbourhood there is one family that is involved in illegal activities.

"And when my sons see their parents doing nothing - it gives off a very bad impression."

Fatima, a mum of three told us, "I live opposite a mosque and I see people pulling up in their flash cars and putting their hats on and walking into the mosque. Everyone knows they have made their money from drugs but no-one does anything about it.

"Shouldn't the mosque be leading the way and be the first to educate them."

"Don't they know the wider effects drug-dealing has on a community?"

"If there was some sort of pressure from somewhere people would be braver about coming forward."

Some believe that things have changed so much that in pursuit of money the principles and morals by which many families live are put aside.

There are also cases where families find that there sons are old enough to make their own decisions and no amount of pressure is going to change that.

One man who wished not to be named said, "My cousin is involved as a runner for a drug dealer and his parents have turned against him. But what can they really do apart from that?

"He will learn from his own mistakes and if it means him ending up in prison then so be it."

"Parents can only do so much sometimes. I also think it is very hard for parents when childen get involved in crimes like drug-dealing. They feel totally helpless and have no-one to go to for support."

Mosque Imams and those in postions of seniority are said to be guilty of concentrating on issues solely of a religious nature and are unlikely to question members of their own congregation about their illegal practices.

A local Muslim scholar told us, "A mosque is open to all and we cannot turn people away."

"The responsibility of parents is a priority. Parents are leaving the issue of tackling their children's attitudes far too late."

"They need to discuss these issues when their children are at secondary school. The problem occurs that when they are not educated on the issues such as drug dealing. Then by the time they are sixteen it is too late for some families."

"There is no question that if the money is from a haram source then you cannot benefit from it."

However, the notion that Asian families simply stand by and watch as their relatives live a lavish life-style is refuted by DS John Bailey of Lancashire Police Intelligence Unit.

"From my experience families are generally shocked and surprised when their relatives are arrested. Some of them do know their son or daughter has been involved in drug-dealing and others do not.

"I would say the majority of families do not benefit from the drug-dealing.

"In some cases the son has been living with his parents and they are shocked when the evidence is presented to them."

DS Bailey adds, "If people in neighbourhoods are concerned then they should simply call the police. I want to assure the community that we do and will respond quickly. But we always need intelliegence from the community itself."