SYNDICATES are targeting secondary school pupils as their runners to push drugs by luring them with easy money.

However, the path to quick cash is a one-way street for these teenagers as it is almost impossible for them to get out of this mess.

Z (name withheld to protect the teenager) is one such case.

The 17-year-old from Seberang Prai Utara in Penang was tempted with the promise of quick cash to push drugs but now he is stuck in the job because he fears for his life and that of his family’s.

He got into the “business” after he was kicked out of school about a year ago.

“I was then looking for a job when a man from Bagan Dalam approached me and offered me RM150 a day for doing an easy job – deliver bags as ordered by the boss.

“I was excited and accepted the job as it was a way for me to make money.

“But I started to become afraid because over the months, the amount I am being asked to deliver is getting bigger. Sometimes it can exceed 10kg to 15kg per transaction,” he told The Malaysian Insight, fully aware that he faces the death penalty if caught and convicted.

Among the drugs he is asked to deliver are syabu and ganja, adding that he was warned by the syndicate when he told them he wanted to quit.

“They threatened to kill me. They also threatened to harm my family members.

“As a result, I am now forced to do this now but I have asked them to allow me to deal in smaller amounts directly to customers instead of making one big single delivery.”

It’s common for drug syndicates to recruit secondary school pupils as pushers as they are eager and do not cheat, he said.

“These young student pushers won’t steal money or drugs from the bosses, unlike the adults.

“Many of the students also are willing to become pushers as they will be looked up to by the other pupils. They will also avoid being bullied in school.” – August 7, 2019.