The Coke Inside (Full Episode) | To Catch a Smuggler | National Geographic

Key Concepts

• Drug Smuggling: Concealing and transporting illegal drugs across borders.
• Methamphetamine (Meth): A potent and addictive stimulant drug.
• Cocaine Hydrochloride: The chemical form of cocaine, a powerful stimulant.
• HSI (Homeland Security Investigations): The investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
• OCDETF (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces): Multi-agency task forces that target drug trafficking and related crimes.
• Undercover Operation: A law enforcement tactic where officers conceal their identity to gather evidence.
• Surveillance: Monitoring individuals or locations to gather information.
• Red Flags: Suspicious indicators that suggest illegal activity.
• Sex Tourism: Traveling to another country for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity, sometimes involving exploitation.
• Child Pornography: Sexually explicit images or videos involving minors, which is illegal.
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP): The agency responsible for enforcing customs and immigration laws at U.S. borders.
• Pat-Down: A physical search of a person's outer clothing for weapons or contraband.
• Kilo: A unit of weight equal to 1,000 grams or 2.2 pounds, commonly used to measure drugs.

Airport Drug Interdiction and Investigations

Initial Suspicion and Interview

• Case 1: Knee Injection Story: CBP officers Bono, Abreu, and Vanacore at an airport terminal become suspicious of a woman arriving from the Dominican Republic.
  • The woman's claim of traveling to the Dominican Republic for a cheaper cortisone shot for her knee raises red flags. Bono states, "You paid $1,500 for airfare to go down there to save $75 on a cortisone shot? Complete (bleep)."
  • Her inconsistent story about who paid for the trip and her demeanor further fuel suspicion.
  • The officers note her dramatic reaction to a minor bump on her leg, despite wearing a brace on the opposite leg.
• Interview Tactics: The officers use a combination of direct questioning and observation to assess the woman's credibility. They challenge inconsistencies in her story and probe for underlying motives.

Drug Enforcement Operations

• Methamphetamine Seizure: Matheson and Dave discuss the increasing problem of methamphetamine entering the U.S., primarily from the southern border.
  • Dave mentions seizures of "3,000 to 4,000 pounds of meth" in the last few months.
  • He describes "shard," pure crystal methamphetamine, and notes the involvement of multiple cartels in the Atlanta area.
• Undercover Operation: Steve and Dave detail an undercover operation targeting a female suspect believed to be transporting a large quantity of methamphetamine in the Cumberland area.
  • The operation involves an undercover officer acting as a buyer, surveillance teams, and uniformed troopers for a potential traffic stop.
  • Dave emphasizes the limited information available and the potential for unexpected events, including a possible "rip" (robbery) or shootout.

Secondary Inspection and Search

• Pat-Down and Medical Emergency: The officers decide to conduct a pat-down search of the woman from the Dominican Republic.
  • The woman initially requests to use the restroom, prompting the officers to secure the area to prevent her from disposing of any concealed items.
  • During the pat-down, the woman feigns a medical emergency and collapses.
  • Officer Raio states, "I had someone die on me last week," highlighting the dangers of internal drug smuggling.
• Discovery of Cocaine: Despite her attempts to avoid the search, the officers continue the inspection, and the woman eventually admits to concealing balloons of cocaine in her bra and vagina.
  • The officers find several balloons of cocaine on her person.
  • One balloon remains lodged inside her, requiring medical intervention.

Sex Tourism and Electronic Device Searches

• Case 2: Colombia Trip: CBP officers Lopez, Rimola, and Pupo interview a man arriving from Colombia, focusing on potential human trafficking and other illegal activities.
  • The man's nervousness and inconsistent answers about his relationship with a younger male in Colombia raise suspicion.
  • Rimola states, "Typical case, it's something that we see every single day. Passengers lying to us for personal reasons."
• Electronic Device Inspection: The officers decide to search the man's electronic devices, including his laptop and hard drives, due to his admission of engaging in sex tourism in Colombia.
  • Pupo explains that CBP officers are vigilant for child pornography and sex trafficking, even in countries where sex tourism is legal.
  • Rimola states, "When I have passengers that get me nervous, I have to verify what they were doing abroad."
• Findings: The search reveals numerous explicit photos of women, but no evidence of child pornography. The man is eventually released.

Resolution of Drug Smuggling Case

• Medical Extraction: The woman who smuggled cocaine is taken to a hospital, where doctors successfully extract the remaining balloon from her body.
• Arrest and Charges: The woman is arrested and turned over to HSI for prosecution.
  • Bono states, "She has admitted she had done this a few times prior."
• Methamphetamine Arrest: The undercover operation targeting the female suspect transporting methamphetamine is successful.
  • The suspect is apprehended during a traffic stop, and a loaded .38 caliber pistol is found in the vehicle.
  • A drug-sniffing dog alerts to a box in the back of the van, which contains approximately 25 kilograms of methamphetamine.
  • The female suspect and the male driver are arrested and charged with trafficking and firearms offenses.

Conclusion

• Ongoing Battle: The video highlights the constant challenges faced by law enforcement in combating drug smuggling and other illegal activities at airports.
  • Dave states, "We may have gotten 25 kilos today, but there's probably hundreds of kilos that are sitting around the area that we're not gonna get."
• Teamwork and Determination: Despite the difficulties, the officers demonstrate a strong commitment to their mission of keeping drugs off the streets and protecting the public.
  • Bono states, "It's just a driving determination that I have and the rest of the team has to stop this."