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Authorities in Costa Rica stopped a very unusual smuggler—a black-and-white cat carrying drugs taped to its body. The cat was caught outside the Pococi Penitentiary on May 6. Guards noticed grey patches on the cat’s fur as it walked near the prison’s barbed wire fence. When they caught it, they found about 236 grams of marijuana, around 68 grams of heroin, and some rolling papers taped to the cat’s back.
The Costa Rican Ministry of Justice and Peace shared a video of the incident on Facebook. They said, "On the night of Tuesday, agents from the Prison Police at Pococi Prison managed to rescue a kitten that had two drug packages taped to its body. An officer stationed in one of the watchtowers spotted the animal in a grassy area and immediately raised the alarm."
They added, "Thanks to the swift actions of the responding officers, the cat was captured and the packages were removed, preventing them from reaching their intended destination. Upon inspection of the packages, one was found to contain 235.65 grams of suspected marijuana, while the other held 67.76 grams of suspected crack paste, along with two sheets of rolling paper."
How do cats help smuggle drugs into p
The cat was given to the National Animal Health Service for a health check. Officials are now trying to find out who sent the cat and whether someone outside the prison helped. They are looking at security camera videos and tracking the cat’s movements to find clues.
This case shows how criminals often use animals to sneak illegal goods into prisons. Cats are used a lot because they are quiet and can move without being noticed. Sometimes, cats are lured inside prison with food or taught certain behaviour. Then, inmates or their helpers outside attach small amounts of drugs to the cats.
Costa Rica has seen more crime and drug smuggling in recent years. In 2023 alone, authorities seized 21.3 tonnes of cocaine. This case with the cat shows how smart but dangerous the drug traffickers can be. The police continue to work hard to stop these crimes and keep prisons safe.