In a bizarre incident that is making headlines all across Europe and among children’s welfare workers all over the world, a nine-year-old boy was recently arrested in the United Kingdom for being the youngest drug dealer in history of the country.

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The nine-year-old primary schoolboy, whose name hasn’t been disclosed to protect him from potential predators, was arrested with a significant amount of cocaine and was arrested citing his intent to distribute.

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A local newspaper quoted Junior Smart, the founder of a local NGO called St Giles' SOS Project, saying that this actually has become a normal thing. He said, “When I first started doing this 15 years ago I was shocked by the 10-year-olds on our caseload. Now I don't even bat an eyelid. They are getting younger and younger.”

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Smart says that oftenchildren are used as mules and are used to carry drugs for a family member or friend. “One of the most common things these children say to me is that 'we thought these people cared about us'” he said.

Another newspaper, The Mirror, carried a report on how such practices have exasperated in England and Wales ever since people were laid off for the Covid pandemic. Jo Shiner, Chief Constable of Sussex and National Police Chiefs' Council lead for children was quoted as saying, “If they see a way of making money they will take that risk. Since the pandemic started, we have seen even more children exploited by drug gangs.”

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The schoolboy cannot be charged, because as per the law of the land, 10 is the legal age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales. In an ideal world, that would mean the boy would go through extensive counselling and rehabilitation. However, given the situation in England and the unavailability of resources, the boy was released, and let go. 

The Mirror claims that in the past 5 years, there have been more than 16,000 confirmed cases, where children as young as 10-year-old were being used by drug-peddling organisations to move their product and distribute. 

9 year old boy could be Britain’s youngest ever crack cocaine dealer! He was made to carry the drugs by an older sibling or even a parent. More education and effective intervention for primary age children is paramount. @pritipatel https://t.co/zGR5mFyqZx#countylines ⬇️

People who work with children’s welfare believe that education and systemic interventions and rehabilitation are the only ways in which such incidents can be dealt with. 

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