Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jan 2005
Source: Star, The (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com.my
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/922
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDENTS HIRED AS SPIES

KUALA LUMPUR: For at least RM30 a day and a free cellphone, schoolchildren 
and teenagers are working for drug distribution syndicates as their lookouts.

City Narcotics Department head Asst Comm Othman Harun said police 
discovered that the syndicates recruited schoolchildren and teenagers for 
the job following the arrests of 1,024 people, including syndicate heads 
from the San Peng flats area.

"From our investigations, we found that they took in children as young as 
13 years old. Their main function is to inform the syndicate when there is 
police presence in the distribution area," ACP Othman said here yesterday.

The children, who would "patrol" the area on their bicycles or motorcycles, 
were paid on a daily basis, he added.

"Under the Special Preventive Measure Act 1985, those who help such 
syndicates are guilty of being an accomplice to the syndicates although 
they are not directly involved in drug distribution," he said.

Earlier yesterday, police arrested three people aged 13, 20 and 50, in an 
anti-narcotics operation at the San Peng flats and seized drugs worth RM62,000.

A police team led by Chief Inspector Haslah Bachok caught them at 3.30am 
while they were believed to be waiting for buyers.

A 16-year-old boy who was with the three suspects escaped.

When the police team searched the area, they found 590 packets of heroin 
weighing 1.2kg and 170 packets of ganja in three packages.

ACP Othman said police had been monitoring the area for over two weeks.

He urged those with information to contact the city police at 03-2146 0522 
or the nearest police station. 
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