A look into the those who deal drugs and why it is not always a conscious choice.

Often when people think of drug dealers the first image that comes to mind, is lots of cash, expensive clothes and blacked out super cars.

In fact, for many this is not the case, instead they are subjected to violence, threats to themselves and threats to their families. They are often tripped up so they are forced to continue to supply drugs. Anyone can end up falling victim, no matter their sex, age, race or class and although this is not intended to alarm anyone, it is important to not dismiss a potential victim because they do not appear to ‘fit the bill’.

To help counter this issue, in 2015 the Home Office introduced the Modern Slavery Act, the aim of which is to give law enforcers the tools to protect those who are victims of modern slavery, whilst also ensuring those who enslave them receive a suitably severe punishment. Under this Act there is a duty on public bodies to notify the Home Office of potential victims, this is done under the NRM (National Referral Mechanism).

In 2019 10,627 potential victims were referred to the NRM process according to official Government reports a 52% increase from the year before. As the report states, this increase ‘could be down to greater awareness, but higher incidence cannot be ruled out’.

Young males are the most likely to be targeted and parents are often unaware until they go missing and are found in another city living in squalor and dealing drugs. We have dealt with many such young people and these present some of the most challenging cases for the crime department.