Heroin smuggled in Dogs

[fireworksinjuly]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11132226/

The Drug Enforcement Administration arrested 22 Colombian nationals for smuggling heroin into the United States via various methods, including surgically implanting the drug into puppies, officials said Wednesday.

The Colombian organization brought more than 20 kilograms of heroin into the United States, concealing some of it by slitting open purebred puppies, according to John P. Gilbride, the DEA’s New York Field Division special agent-in-charge, in a news release.

At least three puppies died from having liquid heroin packets placed inside them and then being stitched back up, DEA spokesman David Ausiello said.

Human couriers, or “swallowers,” also ingested the heroin packets to transport them overseas. The group also hid drugs in body creams, aerosol cans and along the lining of purses and luggage.

Drug smugglers often rely on couriers to swallow condoms full of drugs and one Colombian woman was once found with cocaine surgically implanted in her buttocks, Reuters reported.
Traffickers put liquid heroin packets into dogs and humans to get past customs, the DEA said.

“The organization’s outrageous and heinous smuggling method of implanting heroin inside puppies is a true indication of the extent that drug dealers go to make their profit,” Gilbride said. “This investigation identified the individuals who were responsible for overseeing and smuggling millions of dollars worth of heroin from Colombia to the East Coast.”

More than $20 million worth of heroin is involved, NBC News reported.

Wednesday’s arrests were the culmination of a two-year investigation that identified a drug trafficking organization based in Medellin, Colombia, whose distribution network reached from Miami to New York City, the DEA said.

In January 2005, police in Colombia had found six puppies with scars on their abdomens at a rural property. Ultrasound scans revealed bags of liquid heroin hidden inside the living animals. Police said traffickers planned to retrieve the drug once the dogs had passed customs abroad.

Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine and the main supplier of heroin to the United States.

NBC News and Reuters contributed to this report.


Drug smugglers allegedly implanted liquid heroin packets into the stomachs of these puppies.


Traffickers put liquid heroin packets into dogs and humans to get past customs, the DEA said.

[calgal]

This method of smuggling herion has been going on for many years. I just wish it was at the point that they can no longer get by with it, but I guess they do much of the time or they would stop.

[PawNclaws]

On animal cops 2yrs ago they rescued a dog (which was named Coco later on) that had been used for this. She had them implanted by a person that had no clue how to properly do it, so she had an infection(pretty bad one too). Thankfully she recovered - I am very saddened that people do this to other people and dogs- .

[c0_re]

what the heck is wrong with people

[Giny]

That is so maddening! Makes me wonder what happened to all the other dogs that did go through with drugs in them without being detected. Actually I'd rather not think of it .

[DFrost]

The heroin I used for training at one point in my career was recovered from the body of a person that was in a motel waiting for nature to take its' course. One of the bundles he had swallowed, burst before it was passed. I can only imagine is the best and last "high" the person had. Smuggling in dogs and other animals is not a new thing. They use it of course, because it works.

DFrost

[mrsgrubby]

I saw this on the today show this morning. i almost started crying.

[Raised By Wolves]

I've heard of this before, and it's beyond sad. I sure the fate of any dog used in smuggling drugs, is a not good one.

[Heinz57]

My teacher showed this to me after I wrote an essay about shelter dogs. Only the likes of drug-dealers could do this sick, sick business
But I think I read somewhere else that the remaining puppies got happy endings--wasn't one of them even taken in to train for drug-sniffing? If so, what irony!

[Shadowkins]

I shudder to think of what those poor animals go through. It just breaks my heart...how could they do that to them!!

[bigdoglover]

This is not new...I remember Coco...it was, and still is a sad situation when drug dealers are using inocent animals for their "deeds". It's absolutely sickening.