HOW THE DRUG SMUGGLERS OPERATE

1. Recruitment. The mules are approached in bars or on the streets of
ghetto areas. Many seek out the dealers themselves.

2. Concealment. The drugs are hidden in liquids, woven into
hairstyles, placed in false compartments or swallowed. Mules swallow
up to 100 packets of cocaine wrapped in the fingers from surgical
gloves. They are given Imodium to stop their bowels moving.

3. Transport. If they manage to board the flight they are walking
time bombs, as acids in the stomach slowly eat into the packets. They
are unable to eat or even drink because they are so full of drugs.
Stewardesses are used to spotting mules because of this.

4. Arrival. Many are discovered at airports during routine scanning
for TB which involves xrays of the torso.

5. Delivery. The mules arrive at a prearranged address and are given
laxatives. Once the drugs are ejected they return home. Some have
been known to run off with the drugs which they sell themselves -
leading to violent reprisals.