Former child drug mule says UK drugs problem only getting worse
Abdul Mkith, who lives in Wick, is speaking to us as we investigate the issue of county lines gangs across the UK #LookCloser
A Caithness man who was used as part of a UK wide drugs operation feels the issue is now "so big"
Abdul Mkith, from Wick, was forced to move to London from Bangladesh due to threats his family were receiving.
He was initially staying with a woman his parents thought they could trust, but Abdul was soon sold onto a man who used him to transport drugs across the country.
After being used as a drug mule for two years, Abdul was found by police in Ullapool in June 2003.
False claims forced him into carrying drugs
Abdul explained the lies he was told to force him into transporting the likes of cocaine and marijuana.
“He said ‘you are coming with me’ because I had no other choice." Abdul said.
“He told me that he would look for my mum and dad, a month later he told me my family were dead.
"I tried to contact my parents, I tried so many things. He said you will not get anybody.
"He said to me ‘you have to do what I tell you or else there will be lots of consequences.’
"I tried to contact my parents, I tried so many things. He said you will not get anybody.
"He said to me ‘you have to do what I tell you or else there will be lots of consequences.’
"I was running drugs from one place to other place to other place."
Not complying meant getting something "snapped off"
Due to complications in finding his out his age, Abdul is not sure how old he is.
However, for two years from the age of around 13, he was being sent to the likes of Brighton, Newcastle, Birmingham and Sheffield.
Abdul explained how he would be sent on buses with the driver being told he was going to visit a relative - when actually he was taking drugs stashed in children's books and pieces of fruit.
He added: "Inside a book would be drugs, for example cocaine and marijuana.
“Also, I don’t remember what it was called, but it was like ecstasy.
“Or it would be stored in fruit, like a small melon.
"It would be gutted out and drugs would be stored inside it.
“I had to do it because if I didn’t do it I was getting punished.
"This usually meant getting beaten up, snapping something off, your limb or get tortured."
Cheap prices one of the reasons behind drugs problem
Following years of support from his foster parents and being able to visit his family in , Abdul now works offshore and has written two books detailing his life.
He also supports those with drugs issues and/or mental health problems.
Abdul feels the price of drugs could be the reason as to why it's still a major issue.
He said: "It used to be a smaller problem, and now it’s so big.
"In our society, everyone keeps themselves to themselves.
"It’s so easy to get a hold of drugs now, so everybody’s trying it. Old and young, but especially young people.
"Because it’s so cheap."
Abdul's speaking to us as part of our #LookCloser investigation, which is detailing how county lines gangs are operating across the country.
You can also find out more about Abdul's story in his book - 'The Locket and a Five Taka Note.'