South American woman arrested for 'smuggling cocaine in her stomach'

AMMAN — A South American woman was caught on Sunday at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) reportedly smuggling cocaine in her stomach, the Public Security Department (PSD) said Monday.

Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) personnel also arrested two suspect who were scheduled to receive the drugs from the woman, according to a PSD statement.

AND cadres were acting on information that a woman of foreign nationality was scheduled to come to the Kingdom in possession of narcotics.

They were able to identify her and the time of her arrival at QAIA, arresting her there.

Preliminary inspection failed to find any drugs with the woman, after which agents took her to hospital, where she was X-rayed and 87 “balloons” were found inside her stomach.

The medical check also revealed that the woman was pregnant, according to the PSD.

The suspect said she swallowed the balloons after filling them with cocaine to deliver them to people in Jordan, the statement added.

The drugs were extracted from her body at hospital prior to releasing her under surveillance to lead to the other suspected accomplices, said the PSD, adding that they, a Jordanian and an Arab, were arrested along with the woman.

The PSD said the investigation is still under way.

AND personnel at QAIA had previously arrested a passenger from South America who was reportedly carrying 2.5 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in a bag, according to the PSD which said then that the three suspects were arrested in the case.

In a similar case earlier this month, AND agents arrested a suspect who reportedly attempted to smuggle cocaine into Jordan in his stomach.

AND agents detained the man upon his arrival at QAIA and searched his luggage, but did not find narcotics.

The suspect then confessed to hiding cocaine in balloons and swallowing them.

AND agents took the suspect to hospital, where 27 balloons stuffed with cocaine were surgically extracted from his stomach.