Talk about extreme hiding spots. A man attempting to enter the United States from Mexico was recently caught by border agents in Texas—thanks to a sharp-nosed drug-sniffing dog and a very uncomfortable smuggling attempt.
The incident, which took place at the El Paso Port of Entry, proved once again that border security officers really do see it all.
Man Tries to Smuggle Drugs… Internally
A 47-year-old U.S. citizen had an unusual and risky plan. Instead of hiding drugs in his bag or clothes, he decided to hide them inside his body—specifically, in his rectum.
This method, while not new to law enforcement, is dangerous and, clearly, not very effective. Just after 1 a.m., border officers were alerted when a canine unit detected something suspicious as the man tried to walk into the U.S.
Discovery of Hidden Narcotics
After being pulled aside for further inspection, officers initially found a small amount of methamphetamine hidden in tinfoil. But that wasn’t all.
During questioning, the man confessed he had “more hidden inside”. Medical staff were called in, and over the next eight hours, they retrieved three more bundles of white powder from the man’s rectum.
Tests confirmed the substance was fentanyl, a dangerous and highly addictive synthetic opioid.
Homeland Security Steps In
Once the full stash was recovered, the man was arrested by Homeland Security officers and now faces federal drug trafficking charges.
While this may have seemed like a clever trick to the smuggler, border officials say such methods are well-known, extremely risky, and often fail thanks to experienced staff and trained detection dogs.
The Dangers of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is no joke. Even a tiny amount can be deadly, and it’s one of the major causes of overdose deaths in the U.S. in recent years.
This case is yet another example of how smugglers are trying increasingly dangerous methods to sneak these drugs into the country. Thankfully, border agents are staying alert to keep such substances off American streets.