Pubdate: Tue, 23 Apr 2002
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2002 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390

GIRL, 5, ON COLOMBIAN FLIGHT FOUND WITH HEROIN

More than two pounds of heroin were seized from a 5-year-old girl at 
Kennedy Airport after she traveled alone on a flight from Colombia, U.S. 
customs officials said Monday.

"The youngest drug mule in history, I believe,'' said Customs spokesman 
Dean Boyd. The girl, whose name was withheld by authorities, is in the 
custody of the city Administration for Children's Services.

She arrived at Kennedy on Thursday aboard an Avianca Airlines flight from 
Bogota and then picked up two suitcases from baggage claim, Customs 
officials said.

She was walking alone through Customs when an inspector opened one of the 
suitcases and noticed it had "an unusually thick side,'' officials said. 
Further inspection revealed the drugs.
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