Colombian authorities have thwarted a brazen drug smuggling attempt at Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena, where a man was caught concealing 19 capsules of cocaine under a wig while attempting to board a flight to the Netherlands.
The Colombian National Police’s anti-narcotics force uncovered the hidden contraband during passenger profiling and surveillance operations, according to a news release issued on Monday.
Video footage posted to X by law enforcement captured the moment officers removed the man’s wig, revealing the illicit cargo hidden beneath what authorities dubbed a “narcopeluca”—a term that translates to “drug wig” in English.
https://x.com/PoliciaColombia/status/1894116145583554693
The suspect, a 40-year-old Colombian citizen from Pereira, had previously been flagged for drug trafficking, with two judicial annotations linked to similar offenses.
The Western Journal outlined that the police reported that the recovered cocaine, amounting to 400 doses, carried a street value exceeding 10,000 euros in the Amsterdam drug market.
Brigadier Gen. Gelver Yecid Peña Araque, the commander of Cartagena’s Metropolitan Police, commended the officers involved in the arrest.
“We are dealing decisive blows against these criminal structures that not only fight over local drug trafficking but are also the generators of different violent acts and other types of crimes that disrupt peace and coexistence,” he stated.
Peña Araque emphasized the importance of community involvement in law enforcement efforts, urging citizens to provide intelligence that could aid in the identification and capture of criminals.
The arrested man now faces charges of trafficking, manufacturing and carrying narcotics.
He has been handed over to the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.
If convicted, he could face a significant prison sentence, as Colombia maintains strict laws against drug-related offenses.
Authorities in Cartagena have ramped up their anti-drug operations, intensifying efforts to dismantle trafficking networks operating within the region.
According to police reports reviewed by the Journal, more than 450 individuals have been arrested this year in connection with drug-related crimes. In addition, officers have seized over 250 pounds of illicit substances, including marijuana, coca base and cocaine since the beginning of the year.
Authorities believe these efforts are instrumental in disrupting the supply chain of drugs that are destined for international markets.
The Metropolitan Police of Cartagena reiterated its commitment to cracking down on narcotics-related offenses and called on citizens to assist in their mission.
Law enforcement officials provided contact information for individuals who may have knowledge of drug trafficking activities, encouraging the public to report suspicious behavior.
Such community engagement is seen as a crucial tool in combating drug-related crimes, which continue to pose a serious challenge to local and international authorities alike.
The attempt to smuggle cocaine under a wig adds to the growing list of creative—yet ultimately unsuccessful—methods employed by drug traffickers.
https://x.com/LionEyeNews1/status/1895003892418531590
Back in the United States, 25-year-old Mayor Tyrin Truong was arrested earlier this year following an extensive drug trafficking investigation that uncovered links to illegal firearms and prostitution.
Resist the Mainstream highlighted that the arrest stemmed from a “comprehensive investigation” launched in April 2024 by the Louisiana State Police Narcotics/Violent Crime Task Force, targeting a sophisticated drug trafficking operation that utilized social media platforms for distribution and payment processing.
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Law enforcement officials say the organization distributed various illegal substances, including opioids, high-grade marijuana, THC products and MDMA.
