LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry recently seized a significant amount of alleged heroin carried internally and externally by two women from California.
“This is definitely an unusual and extremely dangerous method of concealment,” said Port Director Joseph Misenhelter, Laredo Port of Entry. “Although these cases are infrequent and rather rare, I commend the officers for their keen observation skills and interviewing techniques which led them to the discovery of the internally concealed narcotics.”
The interceptions occurred on May 26, 2015 at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge when a CBP officer referred a taxicab carrying two female U.S. citizen passengers, ages 28 and 34, respectively, for a secondary inspection. During secondary examination, CBP officers discovered anomalies with their clothing and upon further examination, discovered a total of 27 and 33 pellets respectively that allegedly contained heroin which were concealed on their bodies. Upon further examination, CBP determined the women may be possible internal carriers.
The women were transported by emergency medical personnel to a local medical facility where imaging systems indicated anomalies in their abdominal areas.
After several days, on May 29, the women passed a combined total of 34 narcotic-filled balloons at the medical facility. CBP officers seized a combined total of 94 pellets weighing 3 lbs. of heroin, which has an estimated street value of $110,759 and arrested the two women. The case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.