Medellin, Colombia-based Heroin Traffickers Used Puppies to Smuggle Drugs Says DEA
February 2, 2006, according to a press release issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Field Division, Special Agent-in-Charge, John P. Gilbride announced the arrests
of 22 Colombian nationals who the agency claims were responsible for smuggling over 20
kilograms of heroin into the United States. The Colombian organization
used varied and unique concealment methods.
Human couriers, termed “swallowers”, ingested the heroin packets
for transporting. Animal couriers were pure-bred puppies that had heroin
packets surgically implanted in them. In one instance, six puppies
were found impregnated with a total of three kilograms of liquid heroin
packets.
“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,” said Gilbride. “This investigation identified
the individuals who were responsible for overseeing and smuggling millions
of dollars worth of heroin from Colombia to the East Coast.”
To date, there have
been 14 separate seizures of heroin totaling 24 kilograms; one seizure
of six kilograms of cocaine; and 22 arrests. These arrests came after
a two-year multi-agency investigation that identified an organization
based in Medellin, Colombia, whose distribution network reached from
Miami to New York City. The operation culminated today in an international
round-up that included 18 search warrants in six different Colombian
cities.
SAC Gilbride thanked
the Colombian National Police ANTIN Heroin Task Force and the Eastern
District of New York for their assistance with the investigation. The
government