Kids as young as 12 are being lured and “groomed” into working for criminal gangs.
In the latest episode of The Guards: Inside The K tonight, viewers will get an insight into gardai targeting youths involved in organised crime.
The K district covers the Finglas, Blanchardstown and Cabra areas of Dublin.
Scenes show teens wearing designer clothing worth more than €1,000 but have no source of income other than drug dealing.
The episode highlights how some parents aren’t aware of their children’s actions, while others won’t even collect them from the Garda station after being arrested.
Officers in tonight’s episode describe how youngsters are recruited to cycle around estates and act as salesmen.
In return they receive gifts they could never afford and then have “an allegiance” to that crime boss.
Supt Liam Carolan said gangsters “hide behind kids and let them take the risk” which is“exploitation of children”.
Det Alan Barry added: “They’re doing it in return for gifts from the organised crime gangs or the local drug dealers.
“It’s almost like a grooming process, then it goes up to larger drugs and larger weight.”
Footage shows gardai raiding a number of properties across the K district where they believe goods have been purchased as a result of criminal proceedings.
In one home, gardai remove more than 10 bags filled with designer goods such as Gucci shoes and hats, Louis Vuitton shoes, Canadian Goose coats as well as four Rolex watches worth more than €30,000.
Most items still have tags attached including a €825 Louis Vuitton belt.
Garda Terry Nevin said: “The breakdown I think is when the parents are involved in drugs, involved in criminal activity or on drugs and the child doesn’t get the attention and education they need and it’s a vicious circle.”
- The Guards: Inside The K is on Virgin Media One tonight at 9pm.
