Costa Rican authorities recently apprehended an unusual smuggler—a black-and-white cat with drugs taped to its body. This incident occurred on May 6th near the Pokosi prison, where guards noticed the cat due to grey spots on its fur as it approached the barbed wire fence. Upon capturing the feline, they found approximately 236 grams of marijuana and around 68 grams of heroin taped to it.
The Department of Justice and Peace in Costa Rica shared a video of this event on Facebook. They reported that a prison police officer noticed the kitten carrying two packages of drugs and promptly raised the alarm. The ministry’s caption said, “Thanks to the quick actions of the responding officers, the cat was caught, and the package was removed, preventing it from reaching its destination.” One package contained about 235.65 grams of suspected marijuana.
After the apprehension, the cat was given to the National Animal Health Service for a health check. Authorities are investigating the incident to identify who was behind it and whether someone outside the prison helped release the cat nearby, possibly in collaboration with an inmate. They’re analyzing surveillance footage and tracking the cat’s movements to uncover more details that might lead to arrests.
This situation highlights a broader trend of criminals using animals to smuggle contraband into prisons. Cats, in particular, are favored for their ability to sneak around unnoticed. It’s not uncommon for them to be lured to prison grounds with food, where inmates or accomplices attach small drug packages.
In recent years, Costa Rica has faced a rise in crime and drug trafficking. In just 2023, authorities seized a staggering 21.3 tons of cocaine throughout the country.
