Puppies turned into drug mules

Thursday, February 02, 2006

NEW YORK (AP) - Colombian drug dealers turned puppies into couriers by surgically implanting them with packets of heroin, federal authorities said Wednesday.

Investigators believe the ring used the dogs, as well as human drug swallowers, to conceal millions of dollars in liquid heroin on commercial flights into New York City for distribution on the East Coast.

Ten puppies, including Labrador retrievers, were rescued during a 2005 raid on a farm in Colombia, the Drug Enforcement Administration said, while announcing more than 30 arrests.

A veterinarian had stitched a total of three kilograms of heroin into the bellies of six pups. Three later died from infections after the drugs were removed.

It was unclear how many dogs were used in the overall scheme, and investigators do not know their fate after they arrived on U.S. soil, said John Gilbride, head of the DEA's New York office.

"I think it's outrageous and heinous that they'd use small, innocent puppies in this way," he said.

Besides the pups and human swallowers, authorities said the ring based in Medellin also concealed drugs in body creams, aerosol cans, and the linings of purses and luggage.

Recent raids in Colombia resulted in more than 20 arrests; another 10 suspects were in custody in New York, Florida and North Carolina. About 24 kilograms of heroin was seized, officials said.

Article taken from here.

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I can't believe people can be so heartless to use innocent animals. A veterinarian did this too.

^Even though I agree with you on some things, your comment was rude.

It's like the situation in Norway. Guns are legal and their crime rate is very low. If drugs were legalized (especially in Western countries), events like these would lessen eventually and would be beneficial in the long run.

I heard about tis on the news.....
It's so sad, how can they do that to those puppies?

Honestly. Do they have no heart at all? And the stupid vets did it too.. they were vets. Aren't they supposed to be kind to animals?

Thats a stupid idea. Amateurs.

Everyone knows you offer a druggie coke to do it.

I don't think it was rude at all. If I made such an ignorant statement, I would want someone to call me out. But, I can see your point. It was abrupt and not exactly gentle, but what is so wrong with that? Isn't that called a "rude awakening?"

This is nothing new. Suck it up. Grow some balls.

Word.

-- people act as if drugs haven't been flooding our streets....point is drugs will always be around...even if we may not want to be to..

At this point, I doubt it. Society has already been brainwashed into referring to drugs as forms of the forbidden fruit. If you legalize it now, everyone will be on drugs. The reason there is a low crime rate in Norway even if guns are legal is because there isn't much propaganda going around about it. Plus, I'm assuming that it was like that for a long time, not just changed overnight from a violent society to a calm one by legalizing weapons.

And frankly, I can think of much worse things that could have happened to those puppies. I wonder what you all would do when you finally discover the ugliness of the world.

^ I agree with you there, Ariel.

Yes, it's cruel what's going on, but Ariel's right. There are things that are much worse than that which we subject animals to.

Do you remember the "kitten in the bottle" craze?

[sarcasm]
Save the animals
[/sarcasm]

Either find a better way to boost our economy, or make sure you don't get caught next time.

that doesnt mean it isnt repulsive.

i agree with nate's view as to drugs.

however, personally, i still find th euse of the puppies disgusting, regardless of whether or not it's new.

and i dont think that being upset by animal cruelty is any reason to have to grow some balls.

The focal point of this article was the unfair treatment of the puppies. Though, the cocaine epidemic has yet to be addressed. Why? Because our economy is benefiting in so many ways by illegal importing drugs.

Drugs are ways to make cash in many ways.