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Smuggling
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===Use of animals=== In addition to human couriers, smugglers have been known to transport illicit goods with the use of [[Animal training|trained animals]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://insightcrime.org/news/animals-used-smuggle-drugs-latin-america/ | title=5 Animals Used to Smuggle Drugs in Latin America | date=7 May 2021 }}</ref> One advantage to smugglers using animals is that unlike human couriers, who might [[turn state's evidence]] if caught, an animal courier, if caught with any contraband on them, would be unable to provide any verbal information to the authorities. ====Dogs==== One way that smugglers have used animals to transport contraband at times is through the use of [[dogs]]. Often smugglers have been known to strap drugs onto the backs of canine and then use such dogs as [[pack animal]]s to transport the contraband across further distances or across borders.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loc.gov/item/2006640754/ | title=Dogs used as smugglers | website=[[Library of Congress]] }}</ref> ====Cats==== Another way smugglers have used to transport contraband on multiple occasions is [[cats]]. Usually the cats are used to sneak drugs into [[prisons]], where [[prison gangs]] can then sell the drugs to other inmates.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newsweek.com/cat-caught-smuggling-drugs-panama-prison-1586113 | title=Cat caught smuggling drugs into Panama prison | website=[[Newsweek]] | date=23 April 2021 }}</ref> Often a smuggler from the outside will attach small amounts of drugs to a cat and then the cat will either be lured inside the prison by inmates with cat treats or the cat might be trained to enter the prison. In addition to drugs, cats have also been used to smuggle other kinds of contraband into prison such as [[Mobile phones in prison|cellphones]], tools, batteries and phone chargers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/10/21/239010848/these-cats-are-mules-kitties-smuggle-goods-into-prisons | title=These Cats Are Mules: Kitties Smuggle Goods into Prisons | website=NPR | date=21 October 2013 | last1=Memmott | first1=Mark }}</ref> The reason why cats can make good drug couriers is due to the fact that felines are naturally stealthy animals and because the prison guards are often less likely to suspect that contraband might be on a cat. ====Birds==== Additionally smugglers have also used homing [[pigeons]] to transport contraband by air at times. Carrier pigeons have been used to smuggle drugs into prisons<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/cocaine-smuggling-carrier-pigeons | title=Cocaine carrier pigeons are the latest drug smuggling technique | date=September 2015 }}</ref> and across borders.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.inverse.com/article/32095-drug-smuggling-carrier-pigeon-backpack-weight-value | title=Here's How Much a Carrier Pigeon's Drug Stash is Worth | date=24 May 2017 }}</ref> Additionally homing pigeons have also been used to transport cellphones and SIM cards into prisons. The reason why pigeons have been useful for smugglers, is that they can fly for long distances and because the birds are usually unlikely to arouse much suspicion from authorities, due to the fact that pigeons are such widespread and commonly witnessed birds, in both rural and urban areas. ====Livestock==== Smugglers have also been known to transport contraband with the use of [[livestock]]. One such example is the use of [[horses]], [[donkeys]], [[mule]]s and [[ponies]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tuesdayshorse.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/plight-of-drug-trade-horses/ | title=Plight of drug trade horses | date=9 July 2010 }}</ref> The traffickers often strap the illicit goods to the packhorses [[pack saddle]], so that the animal can carry more loads of contraband further and across more rugged terrain then a human courier. In addition to Packhorses, Smugglers have also been known to transport contraband with the use of [[horse-drawn vehicles]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2021/nov/06/interstate-carriages-usedto-smuggle-drugs-to-kerala-2380021.html | title=Interstate carriages used to smuggle drugs to Kerala }}</ref> Additionally there are also livestock that smugglers have used as living body couriers, in such instances the animals are either made to swallow the drugs or the drugs are surgically implanted inside the animals before they are [[Herder|herded]] to another destination, at a later date when the animals are [[Animal slaughter|slaughtered]] for their [[Meat industry|meat]], the drugs are then removed and given to associates. One such example is the use of [[cattle]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/410659/Cattle-used-in-drug-smuggling- | title=Cattle used in drug smuggling | work=Daily Sun }}</ref> Cattle have been used as 'body couriers' to transport contraband in multiple ways, often by inserting the drugs into the cattle, to be removed at a later time after slaughter. Another animal that traffickers have used as body couriers are [[goat]]s, which they remove drugs from after slaughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/eish/uncovered-how-goats-can-turn-into-mules-236273|title=Uncovered: How goats can turn into 'mules'|accessdate=11 March 2023}}</ref> Additionally another animal that has been used by smugglers to transport contraband are [[sheep]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jordantimes.com/news/local/suspected-smugglers-hide-500000-narcotic-pills-sheep%E2%80%99|title='Suspected smugglers hide 500,000 narcotic pills on sheep'|date=2 September 2015|website=Jordan Times|accessdate=11 March 2023}}</ref> Oftentimes, the traffickers either attach the drugs to the sheep's wool or they insert the drugs inside the sheep to be removed at a later date after slaughter. What type of livestock or pack animals do organized criminals use to carry contraband, often depends on availability and region. For example, in parts of South America, traffickers have used [[llama]]s as pack animals to transport drugs across rugged terrain or across borders.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.co.cr/first-airplanes-now-llamas-cocaine-smuggling-in-the-andes/39732/ | title=First Airplanes, Now Llamas: Cocaine Smuggling in the Andes | date=23 June 2015 }}</ref> In certain parts of Asia, [[elephant]]s have been used as pack animals to carry large amounts of drugs across wilderness areas or across borders.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thehillsrehabchiangmai.com/ | title=Heroin Addicted Elephants Treated and Released Sober | date=11 August 2014 }}</ref> In Middle Eastern countries, smugglers have also been known to use [[camel]]s as pack animals to transport drugs across further distances or across borders.<ref>Courtney Trenwith. (18 June 2015). [https://www.arabianbusiness.com/gcc/camel-carrying-114-000-drugs-intercepted-at-saudi-border-596704 Camel carrying 114,000 drugs intercepted at Saudi border] ''Arabian Business''</ref>
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