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The most insane smuggling busts

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Jessica Sager
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Jun 13, 2014

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PICTURED: the images of the turtles from airport xray Customs officers found over 40 endangered turtles hidden in a travellerís rucksack because the luggage was moving when it went through the baggage Xray. The officers at Pragueís Vaclav Havel airport in the Czech capital made the find during a routine check of 47-year-old Russian man Innocent Kapustinís luggage. The 47 black-breasted turtles from Southeast Asia are often popular as pets, but are also listed as endangered. A customs spokesman said: "Customs officers discovered the turtles during a routine luggage check using X-rays to examine the knapsack. On further inspection the officers found 47 live turtles and two eggs that were hidden in a cloth bag and stored in two plastic boxes. "The turtles were transported in very miserable conditions without air and were between turtle feces and rotting leaves, stacked in several layers in plastic boxes. Two specimens were found dead and some of the others were in a poor state. "The man had packed the turtles in the leaves to try and hide them, but never had a chance of getting through the X-ray machine." The remaining turtles will be taken to Prague Zoo.
A traveler’s luggage caught the attention of customs officials when it started moving. Inside were 47 endangered black-breasted turtles from Southeast Asia. Two turtles were dead and others ill. The remaining healthy turtles will be released to the Prague zoo. Europics

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US Immigration & Customs Enforcement return stolen antiquities to Nigeria. No arrests have been made yet in this ongoing investigation. Arifacts are valued as priceless on display are terecotta figures.
A traveler tried smuggling these antique sculptures from Nigeria into the US, but the perp was caught and the priceless terra cotta pieces returned. Robert Miller

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Caught with his trousers down: Traveller arrested after trying to smuggle live hummingbirds in special pouches sewn into his PANTS..If you were sat next to this airline passenger, you might understand why he was fidgeting around so much..This Dutch traveller was caught trying to smuggle more than a dozen live hummingbirds in special pouches sewn into the inside of his underwear at Rochambeau airport in Cayenne, French Guiana..The birds were individually wrapped in cloth and taped up to prevent them from 'escaping' from their sweaty travel container..But fortunately for the unfortunate birds authorities noticed the passenger acting suspiciously and he was detained by French customs officers..When his underwear was removed, officials discovered the haul of hummingbirds - who are not believed to have been sedated - lining the front..The man, who reportedly has a previous conviction for trying to smuggle the tiny creatures, was arrested. It is not clear if he has yet been charged..©Whitehotpix (Credit Image: © Whitehotpix/ZUMAPRESS.com)
A Dutch traveler causes some serious buzz when he tries smuggling over a dozen live hummingbirds … sewn into his pants. Zuma Press

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This Australian Customs handout photo dated 18 June 2004, shows complete bear gall bladders, part of one of Australia's largest seizures of endangered wildlife and plant products used in complementary medicines. A joint operation by the Department of the Enviroment and Heritage, the Australian Customs Service and the Australian Federal Police, made the seizures in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, raiding five complementary outlets and finding products labelled as containing bear bile, tiger bone, rhinoceros horn and parts from other endangered animals and plants. AFP PHOTO/Australia Customs (Photo credit should read AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS/AFP/Getty Images)
Australian customs officials found the smuggling of these bear gall bladders simply, well, unbearable. Getty Images

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This Australian Customs handout photo dated 18 June 2004, shows rhinoceros skin, part of one of Australia's largest seizures of endangered wildlife and plant products used in complementary medicines. A joint operation by the Department of the Enviroment and Heritage, the Australian Customs Service and the Australian Federal Police, made the seizures in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, raiding five complementary outlets and finding products labelled as containing bear bile, tiger bone, rhinoceros horn and parts from other endangered animals and plants. AFP PHOTO/Australia Customs (Photo credit should read AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS/AFP/Getty Images)
That’s rough: Australian customs busted an outlet selling endangered rhinoceros skin. Getty Images

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An handout photo shows a smugglers wearing a corset attempting to smuggle eggs out of Australia. Australia's distinctive wildlife is being threatened by organised crime gangs who view smuggling animals as a profitable sideline to drug-running, authorities have warned 08 August 2004. AFP PHOTO/AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS (Photo credit should read AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS/AFP/Getty Images)
A smuggler wore a corset of eggs from Australia, but Australian customs quickly cracked the case. Getty Images

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A Homeland Security evidence bag is seen of almost 11,000 counterfeit viagra pills. A former Korean law enforcement officer, Kil Jun Lee, who now lives in Los Angeles was arrested Wednesday March 7, 2012 by federal agents for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 40,000 counterfeit erectile dysfunction pills into the United States through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) concealed in his golf bag and luggage. Kil Jun Lee, 71, was taken into custody Wednesday morning by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents at his Los Angeles apartment. He is charged in a criminal complaint with trafficking in counterfeit goods.
A former Korean law enforcement officer got a rise out of Homeland Security when they busted him smuggling almost 11,000 counterfeit Viagra pills. AP

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US authorities have busted a drugs ring that was smuggling deadly methamphetamine inside Elmo soft toys. The DEA said they found 45 pounds of what they describe as "high quality" drugs inside the Sesame Street character and other toys. The drugs were found in Denver, Colorado, having been smuggled from California. They had a street value of more than $864,000. A DEA spokesman said: "This is a toy. In the hands of innocent people, it's just a toy. But in the hands of sinister people, it's a concealment device to smuggle methamphetamine from California to Colorado. When you picture this toy with four pounds of methamphetamine it gives it a little bit of a different context." Pictured: Elmo toy with drugs inside Ref: GWNY 261006 A Splash News and Picture Agency does not claim any Copyright or License in the attached material. Any downloading fees charged by Splash are for Splash's services only, and do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any Copyright or License in the material. By publishing this material , the user expressly agrees to indemnify and to hold Splash harmless from any claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of or connected in any way with user's publication of the material. Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles:310-821-2666 New York:212-619-2666 London:207-107-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com www.splashnews.com
The DEA were tickled when they busted the drug ring who smuggled $864,000 worth of methamphetamine in stuffed Elmo toys. Splash News

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This is a handout image, released Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol showing scuba equipment allegedly used to smuggle eight pounds of marijuana into the United States from Canada. The diver was arrested early Monday, Aug. 19, near Marine City, Michigan, on the American side of the St.Clair River and officials recovered a waterproof canister containing the drugs, which have a street value of around $40,000. (Photo Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Patrol)
US customs officers didn’t have to go too deep to find the 8 pounds of marijuana hidden in this scuba gear being smuggled from Canada. US Customs and Border Patrol

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Illegal immigrants tried to smuggle themselves into the country by hiding in the body shells of 275,000 pounds Rolls Royce cars, it was revealed today. The nine men were discovered by sniffer dog Jake, at Calais, France, in a German lorry heading for the luxury car maker in Goodwood, West Sussex. Rolls Royce confirmed the lorries usually carry four car body shells. Pictured: Illegal immigrants Ref: SPL251615 250211 Picture by: Solent News / Splash News Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com
Illegal immigrants tried smuggling themselves into the UK by hiding in shells of Rolls-Royces. Splash News

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These are the 24 powder cocaine-filled boxes of cake mix customs agents say they allegedly seized from London teenager Ayesha Niles' suitcases at Miami Airport. She had arrived on a flight from Jamaica and was en route to London when she was chosen for secondary screening. According to the State Attorney's Office, who provided the pictures, the drug has a street value of GBP 400,000. Niles was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention centre in Miami facing charges of cocaine trafficking. Although she was 17 when arrested on October 21, she has since turned 18 and looks set to face charges as an adult. Pictured: Cocaine seizure Ref: SPL329401 271011 Picture by: Splash News Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com Splash News and Picture Agency does not claim any Copyright or License in the attached material. Any downloading fees charged by Splash are for Splash's services only, and do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any Copyright or License in the material. By publishing this material , the user expressly agrees to indemnify and to hold Splash harmless from any claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of or connected in any way with user's publication of the material.
A London teenager probably thought she had a sweet deal when she attempted to smuggle cocaine in 24 boxes of powdered cake mix. That is, until she got arrested at Miami Airport. Splash News

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A woman has been accused of trying to smuggle cocaine inside these Toblerone chocolate bars. Ebony Gray, 22, had just got off a flight from Trinidad to New York's JFK airport when she was stopped by customs officers. They were reportedly suspicious of her duty free bag. It contained eight boxes of what initially looked like the pyramid-shaped Swiss chocolate treats. But when Customs and Border Protection agents unwrapped the bars they found sticks of cocaine packed inside them, totaling of 3.3 kilos, or more than seven pounds lbs. Gray was arraigned on drug-smuggling charges and later released on bail / bond. Pictured: Cocaine inside Toblerone boxes Ref: SPL471051 121212 Picture by: Splash News/CBP Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com
A Trinidad woman was detained at JFK Airport when she attempted to smuggle about 7 pounds of cocaine in Toblerone bars. The biggest crime here may be the waste of good chocolate. Splash News

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Whatever happened to baking a saw into a cake? Prison officers in Brazil foiled an innovative attempt to sneak contraband for inmates after spotting an unusual looking cat trying to make its way into the compound. They stopped the feline and were amazed when, on closer inspection, they realised the animal had four saws, two drill bits, a cellphone, a battery, a charger and some memory cards crudely tapes onto its torso. The officers, at a prison in Arapiraca, in the Northern state of Alagoas, believe the booty would have been used to attempt to cut through bars and dig a tunnel out of the prison. They relieved the pussy of its booty and sent it to an animal centre. Pictured: Cat Ref: SPL478322 070113 Picture by: SGAP / Splash News Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com
Prison officers in Brazil spotted a cat carrying four saws, two drill bits, a cell phone, a battery, a charger and memory cards taped to its torso, ostensibly to aid a prison break. Looks like this cat let itself out of the bag. Splash News

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Customs officials are trying to get to the 'bottom' of this case of suspected drug smuggling. Authorities in the US stopped two women as they tried to enter the country from the Dominican Republic - allegedly wearing diapers / nappies stuffed with Cocaine. Priscilla Pena and Michelle Blassingale, from the Bronx, in New York, got off a flight from Santo Domingo when a drug-sniffing dog altered Customs and Border Protection officers. An initial search of Pena's luggage failed to find anything, the New York Post reported. But a pat down revealed both women were wearing these diapers / nappies taped full of cocaine. They were charged with smuggling approximately 6.5 kilos of the drug, with a street value of more than $350,000 USD. Pictured: The cocaine 'diapers' Ref: SPL488496 300113 Picture by: USC & B / Splash News Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com
Authorities stopped two women from the Dominican Republic from entering the US when they discovered the women were wearing diapers full of cocaine with a street value of $350,000. That’s some expensive booty, but was it worth the criminal record? That depends. Splash News

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A woman has been arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle more than six pounds of cocaine - hidden inside these hair care products. Erika Rodriguez de los Santos arrived on a flight to JFK airport in New York from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic on November 18, said a spokesman for Customs and Border Protection. Officials quizzed her after finding "hair-product containers" in her luggage that appeared to be unusually heavy. The containers produced an oil-like substance that tested positive for cocaine. The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 6.27 lbs. "This latest seizure demonstrates the steadfastness of CBP officers on the ground to detect, detain and deter those who would try to smuggle these illegal substances," said Robert E. Perez, CBP's state director of field operations. Santos is facing federal narcotics-smuggling charges. Pictured: Cocaine smuggled in hair care products Ref: SPL669283 161213 Picture by: Splash News/CBP Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com
If you thought high hair was left in the ’80s, you’re wrong. Erika Rodriguez de los Santos was busted in JFK Airport for trying to smuggle about 6 pounds worth of cocaine in her hair product containers. Splash News

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A Phoenix man was detained after trying to smuggle a Thai woman across the US border whislt hidden in a suitcase. The 48-year-old woman was discovered hidden in the suitcase during a search of the man's Honda SUV on December 30 at the Port of Nogales. Pictured: General view Ref: SPL677628 080114 Picture by: CBP / Splash News Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com
Talk about baggage: A Phoenix man was arrested for trying to smuggle a live 48-year-old Thai woman across the border at Port of Nogales, Mexico, in a suitcase. Splash News

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No 'kidding'. A passenger arriving at JFK airport in New York was busted - for allegedly smuggling cocaine stuffed inside GOAT meat. U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officers [CBP] stopped Yudishtir Maharaj, who had flown from Trinidad's Port of Spain. They found three large packages of frozen goat meat in his luggage. And inside the meat was approximately 7.35 lbs [pounds] of a white powder that later tested positive for cocaine. Maharaj was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, according to customs officials. "This latest seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our CBP officers, and their excellence in detecting those who would try to smuggle these illegal substances," said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations New York. Maharaj is facing federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York. The arrest came on March 20. Pictured: Cocaine stuffed inside goat meat Ref: SPL733845 070414 Picture by: Splash/US CBP Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com
No kidding: A passenger got busted at JFK airport for trying to smuggle cocaine inside of goat meat. Splash News

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The proof was in the pudding. A man was arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine into New York's JFK airport hidden inside packets of custard. Authorities say Godfrey Cassius, from Guyana, had nearly 18 pounds [lbs] of the party drug wit a street value of around $300,000 USD inside his suitcase when he arrived at the airport last month. He was stopped for a routine bag inspection when officers found eight packs of Champion custard powder. When they looked inside they found "a white powdery substance with a strong chemical odor," according to court papers. It later tested positive for cocaine. Godfrey was charged with federal narcotics smuggling charges. He will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York. Pictured: Cocaine in custard bags Ref: SPL754796 090514 Picture by: Splash News/CBP Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com Splash News and Picture Agency does not claim any Copyright or License in the attached material. Any downloading fees charged by Splash are for Splash's services only, and do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any Copyright or License in the material. By publishing this material , the user expressly agrees to indemnify and to hold Splash harmless from any claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of or connected in any way with user's publication of the material.
Police arrested Godfrey Cassius at JFK Airport when he tried smuggling nearly 18 pounds of cocaine (valued at about $300,000) from Guyana in custard packages. Guess the proof really was in the pudding. Splash News

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