'I had to stand my ground': An exploratory study on women's involvement in the Belgian
synthetic drug market

Despite increasing interest in women in general criminological research and studies on
organised (drug) crime, the involvement of women in the Belgian synthetic drug market
remains understudied. This article aims to shed light on the involvement of women within
organised crime groups active in the Belgian synthetic drug market. Data were collected
through 29 interviews with incarcerated women (n=5) and men (n=24) convicted for their
involvement in the production and/or trafficking of synthetic drugs. The results indicate that:
(1) women constitute a minority in the Belgian synthetic drug market; (2) no women were active
at the production level; (3) women active in wholesale, middle and retail levels show few
differences in their roles compared to men; (4) women hold significant positions in international
drug trafficking; (5) pre-existing connections with men are crucial for women in terms of group
entry and participation in drug supply activities; and (6) women are subject to strict group rules,
facing threats to ensure compliance with these group regulations. This exploratory study reveals
that women effectively navigate the male-dominated world of synthetic drug production and
trafficking.