UK Plans Jail for Gang Leaders Forcing Children to Conceal Drugs

New legislation in the UK will make it a criminal offence for gang leaders to force children and vulnerable adults to conceal drugs, cash, or SIM cards inside their bodies, a practice known as "plugging," "stuffing," or "banking." Under an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, offenders could face up to 10 years in prison. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips condemned the practice as "truly evil" and emphasized that the law aims to hold senior gang members accountable for exploiting vulnerable individuals, particularly in county lines drug trafficking. Since July 2024, government efforts have led to over 800 violent criminals charged and more than 1,200 drug lines closed, alongside 2,100 safeguarding referrals for exploited children and vulnerable adults. Charities like The Children’s Society have highlighted the severe physical and mental impact on victims and underscored the need for a clear legal definition of child criminal exploitation to better protect vulnerable children. Police efforts at transport hubs such as London’s Euston station include increased vigilance for signs of exploitation, reflecting the government’s broader crackdown on these abusive criminal practices.