Man caught smuggling cocaine under wig at Colombian airport

2 hrs ago

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Craig Nigrelli Anchor

By Craig Nigrelli (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Jack Henry (Video Editor)

Authorities arrested a 40-year-old Colombian man at Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport for attempting to smuggle cocaine hidden under a wig. They identified the suspect through passenger profiling before he boarded a flight to Amsterdam.
The suspect had 19 capsules of cocaine weighing 220 grams, estimated to be worth $10,500, hidden beneath a toupee.
The arrest is part of broader efforts by Colombian authorities to disrupt drug trafficking operations, with over 450 people arrested and 115 kilograms of narcotics seized this year.

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Authorities arrested a 40-year-old Colombian man at Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport for attempting to smuggle cocaine hidden under a wig. They said the suspect, who was preparing to board a flight to Amsterdam, was identified through passenger profiling by the National Police’s Anti-Narcotics unit.

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How did the man conceal the cocaine?

The man had 19 capsules of cocaine, weighing approximately 220 grams, hidden beneath a carefully attached toupee.

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Officers conducting security checks became suspicious and detained him for further inspection.

A scanner and subsequent chemical tests confirmed the substance as cocaine.

What is the estimated value of the drugs?

Authorities estimated the street value of the seized cocaine at approximately $10,500.

According to police, the drug bust prevented the distribution of over 400 doses of cocaine in the international market.

Does the suspect have a criminal history?

Officials confirmed the suspect has two prior drug trafficking convictions.

Following his arrest, police placed him under the custody of the Attorney General’s Office. There, prosecutors charged him with drug trafficking, manufacturing and possession of narcotics.

How are Colombian authorities responding to drug smuggling?

Cartagena Metropolitan Police commander, Brig. Gen. Gelver Yecid Peña Araque, said the arrest is part of broader efforts to disrupt drug trafficking operations.

He reported that the agency arrested more than 450 people for drug-related crimes this year. Agents have seized over 115 kilograms of narcotics, including marijuana and cocaine.

¡‘Narcopeluca’ en Cartagena!

Detalles: https://t.co/h47nOGiUY4 pic.twitter.com/2CbJHZPnG6
— Policía de Colombia (@PoliciaColombia) February 24, 2025

Peña Araque emphasized the role of community cooperation in identifying and stopping drug traffickers. He urged the public to provide tips through Colombia’s emergency hotline or police email to aid ongoing investigations.

The Colombian National Police continue to intensify airport security measures to combat drug smuggling, warning that organized crime groups are increasingly using deceptive tactics to transport illegal substances.

Tags: Cocaine, Colombia, Netherlands

[CRAIG NIGRELLI]

COLOMBIAN POLICE SAY A MAN TRIED TO SMUGGLE COCAINE UNDER A WIG AT THE CARTAGENA AIRPORT—BUT SECURITY CAUGHT HIM BEFORE HE COULD BOARD A FLIGHT TO AMSTERDAM.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE 40-YEAR-OLD COLOMBIAN CITIZEN WAS WEARING A TOUPEE WITH 19 CAPSULES OF COCAINE HIDDEN UNDERNEATH. DURING A ROUTINE PASSENGER SCREENING, OFFICERS NOTICED SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS ABOUT HIS HAIR. A CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE CAPSULES—PACKAGED TO AVOID DETECTION.

POLICE SAY THE DRUGS WEIGHED ABOUT 220 GRAMS AND WERE WORTH MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND EUROS ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET. VIDEO RELEASED BY AUTHORITIES SHOWS AN OFFICER CUTTING INTO THE WIG TO REVEAL THE PACKAGES. TESTS CONFIRMED THE SUBSTANCE WAS COCAINE.

THE SUSPECT, WHO WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY TO THE NETHERLANDS, HAS A HISTORY OF DRUG TRAFFICKING. POLICE SAY HE HAS TWO PRIOR COURT RECORDS RELATED TO NARCOTICS. HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND CHARGED WITH TRAFFICKING, MANUFACTURING, AND POSSESSING ILLEGAL DRUGS.

THIS ARREST COMES AS CARTAGENA POLICE CRACK DOWN ON INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING. OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE ARRESTED MORE THAN 450 PEOPLE FOR DRUG CRIMES THIS YEAR ALONE AND HAVE SEIZED MORE THAN 115 KILOS OF COCAINE, MARIJUANA, AND OTHER HALLUCINOGENS.

COLOMBIA REMAINS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST PRODUCERS OF COCAINE, WITH CRIMINAL NETWORKS CONSTANTLY FINDING NEW WAYS TO TRANSPORT DRUGS ABROAD. AUTHORITIES SAY ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS OFTEN EXPLOIT INDIVIDUALS TO CARRY SMALL AMOUNTS OF DRUGS, PROMISING THEM EASY MONEY.

LAW ENFORCEMENT IS URGING THE PUBLIC TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AS THEY CONTINUE TO DISMANTLE DRUG NETWORKS OPERATING IN THE COUNTRY.