Colombian police catch a man smuggling packets of cocaine under toupee
[February 26, 2025]
By MANUEL RUEDA
BOGOTA,
Colombia (AP) — Colombian police apprehended a 40-year-old man
attempting to smuggle several bags of cocaine concealed beneath a
meticulously attached toupee.
Police said
the suspect was detained at Cartagena’s airport on Monday as he prepared
to board a flight to Amsterdam. A scanner revealed the hidden cargo: 220
grams of cocaine packaged in small bags, strategically placed under what
authorities described as a “narco wig.” |
In this screenshot taken from a video provided by the Colombian National
Police, Colombian police catch a man smuggling packets of cocaine under
his toupee at the airport in Cartagena, Colombia, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.
(Via Colombian National Police) |
|
Police estimate the street value of the drugs at approximately
10,000 euros in European markets.
A police video released on Monday captured the moment an
officer, wearing blue gloves, carefully removed the suspect’s
wig with scissors, revealing approximately a dozen packets of
cocaine. Further police statements confirmed the suspect’s prior
criminal record, which included two previous drug trafficking
convictions.
“Organized crime groups are exploiting young people, falsely
suggesting they can easily bypass our security measures,” said
Cartagena Police Commander Gen. Gelver Yesid Peña. “However,
this case demonstrates that is not true.”
Cocaine production in Colombia has been rising since 2013,
according to the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime.
A report published in October by the international organization
found that the cultivation of coca bushes increased by 10
percent in Colombia in 2023, while potential cocaine production
increased 53% from the previous year.
While a 2016 peace agreement with the FARC rebels aimed to curb
coca cultivation in rural areas, smaller armed groups have
filled the power vacuum, actively promoting the lucrative
cocaine trade.
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