Thread: What do they call the kids who handle the drugs and money for dealers?

We called them by their names mostly, and never went near kids on street corners because they weren’t to be trusted. We’d go to people on word of mouth recommendations along the lines of “Such and such deals such and such and it’s good stuff”. Not that I was a junkie or anything but we just didn’t go around calling people by labels.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone use the term peddler, not even the police. Dealer, handler, runner, courier, mule, pusher but never peddler. I associate that with someone who peddles their wares from a handcart, usually within the context of some medieval fantasy novel. I dunno. Maybe things are different elsewhere so I’m just giving what I know and remember. And for the purpose of fiction, depending on the story being told and from who’s pov, I figure pusher is the op’s best option because the kids are selling the drugs not delivering them which is what a runner does.

As far as I know they are called traffickers? I could be wrong though.

okay I went to work and asked all the real drug dealers in my facility aboard Riker's Island as promised.


Pitcher or Connect: person who directly handles the drugs but may not necessarily collect the money as it would implicate a 'sale' of criminal or controlled substance has been made. Many of the the teens to twenty something crowds currently use the term 'Pitcher' as the thirty somethings and above dealers use the term 'Connect'. It should be noted that the pitcher or connect may sometimes collect money also because these days the law has gotten wise to their practices and much more stricter and trickier laws have been put in place. I'm told it no longer matters if you ask the buyer if they're a cop and if they say no and still turn out to be a cop the intrapment laws of old no longer apply and you can still be arrested.

Lookout: person who stands outside and watches for rival gang members, police, or generally unknown people to the neighborhood.

Steerer: Person who brings in the customer like "Yo, my man! You looking for smoke? Come with me!" The Steerer then leads the person to the Pitcher or the Connect. The Steerer will also sometimes collect the money from the customer before sending them inside to see the Pitcher or the Connect and use a prepaid cell phone to call ahead and tell them what to have ready on the scale or bagged up.

lieutenant: Person who collects the money and oversees the whole operation. The lieutenant never handles any drugs directly. Keep in mind this term only seemed to be popular with young New York City gang members, particularly those who belong to 'the bloods'. Many of the Non gang drug dealers or older crowd told me this is a term the 'young kids' use.


Well, i hope this helps.

I agree with Olly. In my uunderstanding they are the 'Runners'. I saw a documentry by Loius theroux about crime in Philadelphia and I think they are called 'Runners' here too...

Nicky - Good research. You should be a reporter. A person writing an article about the drug sub-culture in present-day New York would find your information valuable.

But the street-corner drug culture tends to be very localised. On the streets of Belize City, San Salvador, Nairobi, or Bangkok you will hear other terms. In many urban areas of developing nations the drug trade and the sex trade tend to be closely interwoven and words describing a person's place in society may have double meanings.

garza makes the point twice - and I agree - the actual terms applicable will likely depend on which substances, where, and when, things are taking place.

Alternatively, if reader comprehension is more important, then either an explanation or a simple translation to the terms familiar to the target reader.

I'd say runner as well.

Mules carry, peddlars* sell on the street, pushers push(promote) the selling of drugs in larger quantities - Hence the popular gate or door sign - No hawkers or Peddlars designed to deter door to door salesmen. I think mules would be the best word to use, or you could use muletta which is Italian for a mule, but sound as if it might be a small mule - You never know, you might introduce a new usage into the language!






*Peddler is the American spelling.