The substance was distributed in 25 packages hidden under clothing. At the instruction of the Prosecutor’s Office, the procedure was carried out by the Anti-Narcotics Brigade of the Investigative Police.
Risk profiling by customs inspectors, along with the keen sense of smell of a detection dog from the National Customs Service, led to the seizure of 5 kilos 950 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, which were being transported hidden in the body of a passenger seeking to enter the Magallanes Region.
The discovery was made as part of the controls carried out on flights coming from Santiago, which seek to prevent the entry of illicit goods and contribute to the safety of citizens.
The incident occurred during an inspection at Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport. Following profiling by inspectors, a dog from the Punta Arenas Regional Directorate alerted a female passenger. As a result, the woman was referred for further interview and inspection.
As a result of the inspection, Customs officials determined that the passenger was carrying 25 packages attached to her body, each containing an egg-shaped container filled with a white substance. There were 555 capsules of this substance. When questioned, she stated that she did not know the contents of the packages.
Subsequently, the substance was subjected to a field test using non-invasive technology equipment, obtaining a positive result for cocaine hydrochloride with a total weight of 5 kilos 950 grams.
Given this background, contact was made with the prosecutor on duty, who instructed to proceed for violation of Law No. 20,000, regulations that punish the illicit trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances, also regulating crimes, misdemeanors and personal drug use.
At the instruction of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the procedure was carried out by the Punta Arenas Anti-Narcotics Brigade (BRIANT) of the Chilean Investigative Police, whose detectives seized the drugs and arrested the woman, a Chilean national, for the crime of illicit drug trafficking. The accused was brought before the Punta Arenas Guarantee Court for the respective detention hearing.