KIDS REPORTED USED AS DRUG MULES

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (Reuters) -- Honduran children are being used by
drug gangs to peddle cocaine in Canadian cities, a children's rights
group said yesterday.

Casa Alianza officials said several children from Honduras had
swallowed stones of the drug crack, derived from cocaine, and were
seriously ill in Canadian hospitals after being caught by Vancouver
Police.

The group said it suspected about 200 Honduran children aged 10-13
were involved. It added that the drug gangs had also set up networks
in Mexico and the United States.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady