Busted! Drug mules caught on CT scans

Think computed tomography (CT) scans are just for diagnosing disease? Think again. The high-tech X-rays play a growing role in the global war on drug abuse, helping snag smugglers who conceal drugs inside their bodies. Some "drug mules" swallow drug packets with the idea of evacuating them later. Others stuff packets into body cavities. In any case, the contraband shows up more clearly on CT scans than in ordinary X -rays, says Dr. Priscilla Flach, a radiologist at University Hospital in Berne, Switzerland, and the author of a new study comparing the two imaging techniques.

In this image, you can see drug packets lodged in a mule's colon. Keep clicking to see more shocking images of mules caught recently smuggling cocaine...

8c_incidental_finding_of_sublingual_cocaine_pellets.jpg — Dr. Priscilla Flach

Here's a guy who thought no one would notice the three packets of cocaine stuffed under his tongue. Guess he didn't know much about CT scans.

11a_body_packer_31_slightly_hyperdense_packs_already_excreted_some.jpg — Dr. Priscilla Flach

In this color-enhanced scan, you can see a body "packer's" precious cargo: numerous packets of cocaine lodged in the large intestine.

Here's a "packer" caught with loads of cocaine packets in his colon.

This axial scan (from feet up toward the head) reveals nine white packets of cocaine.

Here's a mule who complained of abdominal pain - no wonder, says Dr. Flach, given the 100 packets of cocaine he had swallowed.

8b_incidental_finding_of_sublingual_cocaine_pellets.jpg — Dr. Priscilla Flach

Another view of the mule who had stashed cocaine packets under his tongue.

8g_incidental_finding_of_sublingual_cocaine_pellets.jpg — Dr. Priscilla Flach

In addition to the three drug packets under his tongue, this mule had several in his stomach, Dr. Flach says.

4a_variance_rubber_coated_condom_black_vs_food_foil_wrapped_heat_sealed_pack_white.jpg — Dr. Priscilla Flach

Here are samples of the hand-made packets swallowed by some drug mules. Other mules swallow condoms filled with cocaine.

On September 12, 2011, a young Irish man was arrested at the Congonhas airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, after being revealed to have bags of cocaine in his body.

The Irish man tried to board a flight after swallowing 72 capsules containing 830 grams (1.82) pounds of cocaine.