Cat found smuggling drugs into prison in Costa Rica

In a bizarre twist straight out of a crime thriller, Costa Rican authorities have intercepted a cat attempting to smuggle drugs into a prison. The black-and-white feline was caught near the Pococí Penitentiary on May 6, with narcotics and rolling papers taped to its back.

Guards grew suspicious after spotting unusual gray patches on the cat’s fur near the prison’s barbed wire fence. Upon closer inspection, they discovered two packages containing roughly 236 grams of marijuana and nearly 68 grams of heroin-like crack paste, along with rolling papers. The cat was quickly apprehended by prison police after a watchtower guard raised the alarm.

The Ministry of Justice and Peace shared a video of the incident on Facebook, showing how officers removed the drugs before the animal could reach inmates. The cat has since been handed over to the National Animal Health Service for medical evaluation.

Investigators are now working to identify those behind the smuggling operation. Authorities suspect that inmates may have collaborated with outside accomplices to train or lure the cat into prison grounds using food. Surveillance footage is being analyzed to trace the animal’s path and uncover any links to the smugglers.

This isn’t the first time animals have been used to sneak contraband into prisons. Officials warn that cats, due to their agility and small size, are becoming a preferred tool for trafficking small amounts of drugs behind bars.

Costa Rica continues to grapple with growing drug-related activity. In 2023 alone, authorities seized over 21 tons of cocaine, highlighting the country’s increasing role in regional drug trafficking networks.