Jamaican Police Officer Arrested After Allegedly Attempting To Smuggle Cocaine Into U.S. – Inside Her Body
A Jamaican police officer is accused of smuggling cocaine into the United States by using her body in a dangerous way.
According to CBS Miami, 42-year-old Shelian Cerine Allen allegedly imported cocaine into the U.S. with the intent to distribute it. Authorities say Allen arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica. Upon inspection, U.S. Customs and Border Protection found a package of cocaine inside her private area and a package of cocaine inside her bra.
Authorities also reportedly discovered 90 pellets of packaged cocaine inside her stomach. She was then taken to a local hospital, where she expelled the pellets.
Approximately 1,350 grams of cocaine were found by federal agents on or inside Allen’s body when she entered the United States. She faces charges of importation of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute.
If found guilty on each count, Allen faces up to 40 years in prison.
“Body packing,” the term used by law enforcement for the type of smuggling method allegedly used by Allen is one of the most common for suspects attempting to get packages of drugs from the Caribbean and South America into the United States. A “mule,” – another common term for a person who smuggles this way puts themselves at serious risk of acute drug intoxication that can be fatal.
According to data reported by the American Addiction Centers, the increased demand for illicit drugs in the United States has resulted in an increase in people being used as “mules.” Heroin seizures have almost since 2009 and methamphetamine seizures have quintupled through 2014.
