Editing Cocaine (section)

======Mules======
{{Main|Mochilero (drug courier)|mule (smuggling)}}
[[File:Bolletjes.jpg|thumb|Abdominal [[X-ray]] showing swallowed packages of cocaine.]]

''[[Mochilero (drug courier)|Mochileros]]'' ({{literal translation|backpackers}}) are [[drug courier]]s in the Latin American drug trade. They move drugs on foot from areas where it is produced, such as cocaine from the ''[[Valle de los Ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro]]'' in [[Peru]], to pick-up points from which it can be collected by the next link in the transport chain.<ref name=pressly2015>{{cite web|title = The Mochileros|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-07eeeebb-d450-4e4b-98d4-755369be7855|accessdate = 2015-11-24|publisher = BBC News| vauthors = Pressly L |date = 24 November 2015}}</ref> The work is highly dangerous.<ref name=pressly2015/>

In [[Mexico]], the people who engage in this type of activity are called "Burreros" (Spanish [[wordplay]] that refers to the person as a [[Donkey#Use|donkey]], a [[pack animal]]), these people cross the border between Mexico and United States through the [[Sonoran Desert]] into [[Arizona]]. They usually trek through the desert in small groups, the journey taking more than a week to complete, each with a square-shaped package on their backs, containing around 55 pounds of illegal substances.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archivo.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/199721.html | title=Cruzan desierto con pacas de droga en la espalda }}</ref>

[[File:CBP Officers Arrest Man at Port Everglades with Cocaine Wrapped Around Ankles (20901225020).jpg|thumb|CBP officers arrest man at [[Port Everglades]] with cocaine wrapped around ankles]]

Internationally, cocaine is also carried in small, concealed, kilogram quantities across the border by couriers known as "[[mule (smuggling)|mules]]" (or "mulas"), who cross a border either legally, for example, through a port or airport, or illegally elsewhere. If the mule gets through without being caught, the gangs will receive most of the profits. If the mule caught, gangs may sever all links and the mule will usually stand trial for trafficking alone.<ref name="Fleetwood">{{cite book | vauthors = Fleetwood J | title=Drug Mules | publisher=Springer | date=18 June 2014 | isbn=978-1-137-27190-7 | page=}}</ref> In many cases, mules are often forced into the role, as  result of [[coercion]], violence, threats or [[extreme poverty]].<ref name="Fleetwood"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unodc.org/southasia/frontpage/2012/october/drug-mules_-swallowed-by-the-illicit-drug-trade.html |title=Drug mules: Swallowed by the illicit drug trade |publisher=UN Office of Drugs and Crime |access-date=29 June 2024 |archive-date=8 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708192316/https://www.unodc.org/southasia/frontpage/2012/october/drug-mules_-swallowed-by-the-illicit-drug-trade.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

General [[mule (smuggling)#Techniques|smuggling techniques]], which also have been used for cocaine, include:
* '''Concealment:''' Methods of smuggling include hiding the goods in a large vehicle in secret compartments,<ref>{{cite news | title = 75-year-old man arrested after $930K in cocaine found hidden in vehicle seats | date = 13 May 2025 |url= https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/75-year-old-man-arrested-after-930k-of-cocaine-found-in-seats-of-vehicle-texas-border-secondary-inspection-driver-narcotics-discovered | work = CBS Austin }}</ref> luggage, <ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Zamora K | date = 16 May 2025 | title = Court documents: Nearly $500K worth of cocaine found at Amarillo bus station | url = https://www.newschannel10.com/2025/05/16/court-documents-nearly-500k-worth-cocaine-found-amarillo-bus-station/ | work = newschannel10 }}</ref> or clothes.<ref>{{cite news | work = The Brussels Times |title=Man caught smuggling cocaine in his clothes at Brussels Airport |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/1401920/man-caught-smuggling-cocaine-in-his-clothes-at-brussels-airport  |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Body packing:''' The practice of transporting goods outside or inside of the body is called body packing.<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Abuja NK |title=NDLEA arrests businessman at Kano airport for body packing large consignment of cocaine |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/ndlea-arrests-businessman-at-kano-airport-for-body-packing-large-consignment-of-cocaine/ |website=The Nation Newspaper |date=22 December 2024}}</ref> This is done by a person usually called a mule or bait. The contraband is attached to the outside of the body using [[adhesive tape]], [[glue]], or [[straps]], often in such places as between the cheeks of the buttocks or between rolls of fat.
* '''Swallowing:''' This is often done using a mule's [[Human gastrointestinal tract|gastrointestinal tract]] or other [[Body cavity|body cavities]] as containers.<ref>{{cite web | work = The National |title=Drug smuggler who swallowed kilo of cocaine worth Dh5 million arrested at Abu Dhabi airport |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/05/18/man-arrested-over-bid-to-smuggle-dh5m-of-drugs-in-his-intestines-at-abu-dhabi-airport/ |language=en}}</ref> In some cases, this has resulted in [[cardiac arrest]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Resiere D, Mehdaoui H, Megarbane B | title = Cardiac Arrest in the Airport Revealing Cocaine Body Packing: A Case Report | journal = Case Reports in Medicine | volume = 2019 | pages = 6183154 | date = 6 January 2019 | pmid = 30723506 | pmc = 6339722 | doi = 10.1155/2019/6183154 | doi-access = free }}</ref>