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25th Feb 2025

Man arrested after attempting to smuggle £8,000 of cocaine through airport under his wig

Sean Crosbie

Talk about a bad hair day!

A man in Colombia has been arrested after attempting to sneak £8,000 of cocaine through airport security which he concealed under his wig.

The man, 40, was set to fly to Amsterdam from Cartagena when an X-ray scanner flagged him for something suspicious.

After being pulled aside, airport security found that the man was wearing a wig.

Videos released by Colombian police show the moment the wig was removed from his head to show the drugs stashed underneath.

Nineteen packets were taped to the underside of the wig, which were then tested and confirmed to be cocaine.

The man who is from western Colombia has been charged with trafficking, manufacturing and carrying drugs.

Commander of the Metropolitan Police Brigadier General Gelver Yecid Peña Araque said: “We are dealing decisive blows against these criminal structures that not only fight over local drug trafficking but are also the generators of different violent acts and other types of crimes that disrupt peace and coexistence.

“We continue to insist on the importance of the community being our main ally, providing timely information that helps us identify and locate criminals.”

It is estimated that over 60% of the cocaine supply in the world comes from Colombia.

The President of Colombia Gustavo Petro has called for a dismantling of the drug trading business, citing that the narcotic is not “worse than whiskey.”

During a government meeting earlier this month, Petro said: “Cocaine is illegal because it is made in Latin America, not because it is worse than whiskey.

“Scientists have analysed this. Cocaine is no worse than whiskey.

“If you want peace, you have to dismantle the business (of drug trafficking).

“It could easily be dismantled if they legalise cocaine in the world. It would be sold like wine.”

Topics:

Colombia,Drugs