BBC News | AMERICAS | Infant 'drugs mule' caught in US

BBC News Online: World: Americas

Tuesday, 23 April, 2002, 11:10 GMT 12:10 UK

The drug was found during a routine inspection

A five-year-old girl has been caught at John F Kennedy airport in New York with more than one kilogram of heroin hidden in her luggage.

Customs officials said the girl was travelling alone from Bogota, Colombia, on board an Avianca Airlines flight.

" This demonstrates the depths to which trafficking organisations have sunk to ply their deadly trade "
Joe Webber, US special agent

The drug was found during a routine check of her two suitcases, when an inspector noticed the side of one the bags was unusually thick.

An investigation had been opened into who sent the girl to New York.

She has been handed over to the Administration for Children's Services in New York.

"Sending a five-year-old girl alone on a plane to smuggle heroin represents a new low, even for drug traffickers," said US special agent Joe Webber.

"This case demonstrates the depths to which trafficking organisations have sunk to ply their deadly trade."

Earlier this month a 12-year-old boy travelling from Nigeria was caught with 87 condoms filled with heroin in his stomach at JFK airport.

The boy, who had been living with relatives in Nigeria for two years, said he had been offered $1,900 to carry the drug to the US.

Related to this story:
Child 'drugs mule' recovering in hospital (12 Apr 02 | Americas) Colombia drugs surge troubles US (08 Mar 02 | Americas) Grandmother used child to smuggle drugs (17 Sep 99 | Scotland) Boy, 8, held over heroin find (11 Feb 99 | UK)

Internet links: Avianca Airlines | Administration for Children's Services, New York | US Customs |
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