02 February 2006
U.S. Says 22 Colombians Arrested on Heroin-Smuggling Charges
Medellin-based group used puppies implanted with heroin packets as drug couriers
By Eric Green
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- U.S. law authorities have announced the arrests on heroin-smuggling charges of 22 Colombian nationals, whose smuggling methods included surgically implanting heroin packets into puppy dogs.
In a February 1 statement, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said the arrests came after a two-year investigation that identified a smuggling organization based in Medellin, Colombia, whose distribution network reached from Miami to New York City.
The DEA operation culminated in an international roundup of the suspects, involving 18 search warrants in six Colombian cities. A Colombian national police "heroin task force" helped in the investigation, said the DEA.
That task force targets heroin-trafficking organizations, especially those with regional and international implications. The DEA says the task force has significant importance for Americans because about 59 percent of the heroin seized in the United States is of Colombian origin. (See related article.)
The DEA said the Medellin drug organization was responsible for smuggling more than 20 kilograms of heroin into the United States. Arrests in the case were made in Colombia, New York, Florida and North Carolina.
The DEA said it was unclear how many dogs were used as drug couriers. The DEA said, however, that in one instance, six puppies were found implanted with a total of three kilograms of liquid heroin packets. News reports said three of the dogs later died from infection after the drugs were removed. The reports said Colombian police adopted three dogs, one of which is being trained to sniff for drugs.
The Colombian organization's other smuggling methods included using human couriers, called "swallowers," who ingested the heroin packets for transport. Another tactic involved concealing heroin in body creams, aerosol cans or in the lining of purses and luggage.
John Gilbride, DEA special agent-in-charge in New York, said the Colombian 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.”
For more information on U.S. policy toward Colombia, see Colombia.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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