Child dealers caught up in illegal drugs trade

Children as young as seven years old are being groomed into the illegal drug trade across Ireland, serving as couriers and “mules” in a nationwide crisis. Reports indicate that these minors are often used to transport drugs and cash, leveraging their innocence to avoid detection by authorities.

The Mechanics of Child Grooming

The process often begins with young children being paid €100 to €150 to deliver a bag to a specific house or car. Once trust is established, these children may be moved into higher-level roles, including weighing and packing Class A drugs.

Criminals frequently utilize apartments, hotel rooms, and Airbnb properties in leafy suburbs for these operations. This strategy is designed to avoid the suspicion associated with known drug-heavy areas.

“When you see a child with a backpack at 9am, you would assume the child is in a uniform walking down the road to school,” said ‘Jonathan,’ a former child dealer. “Instead, that child has two kilogrammes of cocaine in their backpack.”

Did You Know? E-scooters have revolutionized drug distribution in Ireland, allowing dealers to travel at speeds of up to 60 kilometres an hour to gain a distinct advantage over conventional police pursuit.

Urban Markets and Tactical Distribution

In Dublin, minors have been observed selling drugs openly in areas such as O’Connell Bridge. These “open-air markets” utilize a sophisticated division of labor, with specific roles for lookouts, cash holders, and hand-to-hand sellers.

Child dealers caught up in illegal drugs trade | #primetime #ireland

The use of e-scooters and electric bicycles allows dealers to move rapidly. They often travel in groups of two or three, with only one person carrying the drugs, allowing them to split up and reduce the likelihood of prosecution if pursued by gardaí.

The Economic Allure

Many young people are drawn into the trade due to social and economic disadvantage. The prospect of buying new clothes, bikes, or paying for restaurants makes a few hundred euro feel like a fortune to a child.

Some minors enter the trade for what they describe as “noble reasons,” such as providing food for siblings or avoiding homelessness when family support is absent.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the exploitation of children as “foot soldiers” represents a calculated risk for drug syndicates. By using minors who are viewed as dispensable, gangs create a buffer between the high-level organizers and the street-level risk.

Law Enforcement Response

An Garda Síochána implemented a high-visibility policing plan in Dublin city centre between March 2025 and March 2026. This initiative resulted in nearly 6,500 arrests, averaging 18 per day.

During this period, an average of 35 charges or summonses were issued daily, totaling 13,500. Data shows a 16% increase in simple possession offences and a 27% rise in obstruction offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Future Outlook and Interventions

Community leaders and representatives suggest that the solution may lie in continuous support from statutory and non-statutory bodies. There are calls for a renewed impetus in the fight against drugs to stay ahead of evolving criminal tactics.

Pathways to mental health and addiction interventions, combined with community policing, could potentially interrupt these drug markets. Experts suggest that providing these alternatives may prevent vulnerable children from being destined for a life of criminality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the youngest age children are being used as drug mules?
Reports indicate that children as young as seven or eight years old, some in third or fourth class, are being used to carry drugs in their backpacks.

What types of drugs are typically distributed by minors on e-scooters?
While cocaine is present in the market, youth on scooters tend to distribute crack cocaine and counterfeit benzodiazepines to hardened users.

How much do these drugs typically cost on the street?
Cocaine ranges from €50 to €100 per gram, illicit benzodiazepines cost approximately €30 per card, and a rock of crack cocaine costs between €30 and €50.

How can communities better protect vulnerable children from being targeted by organised crime?