Key Points Summary — Drug-Smuggling Cat

• Costa Rican guards catch cat with drugs strapped to its body
• Feline carried over 200 grams of marijuana and 70 grams of heroin
• Officials believe the cat was trained to deliver contraband
• Nicknamed “Narcomichi” by social media users
• Ministry of Justice calls the act “highly concerning”
• Cat transferred to animal services for evaluation
• Investigators seek links between inmates and outside accomplices

Cat Nabbed Carrying Heroin into Costa Rica Jail

In a shocking twist from the animal kingdom, guards at Costa Rica’s Pococí Penitentiary intercepted a black-and-white cat acting as a drug mule. The feline had two suspicious packages strapped to its small frame while prowling the facility’s green zone.

A viral Facebook video, posted by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Justice and Peace, shows officers unfastening the bundles. Soon after, they discovered over 200 grams of marijuana and nearly 70 grams of heroin inside.

‘Narcomichi’ Earns Infamy Online

Meanwhile, social media erupted with reactions. Users quickly dubbed the cat “Narcomichi,” blending “narco” with “michi” — a popular slang term for cat in Spanish-speaking countries.

Justice Minister Fiorella Salazar Rojas responded swiftly. She explained, “We believe the cat was either trained or conditioned to carry drugs. Clearly, this wasn’t a coincidence.”

Authorities now suspect accomplices released the feline near the prison grounds. As a result, investigators are closely studying its path and behavior.

Cat Seized, Probe Launched

Following the interception, officials transported the cat to Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service for a health examination. At the same time, investigators began combing through surveillance footage.

They believe someone may have lured the feline using food or light cues. In addition, officials are exploring whether inmates coordinated the smuggling from inside.

“This method of smuggling is both cruel and calculated,” Salazar emphasized. “It shows disturbing coordination.”

Animals Exploited in Drug Trafficking

Across the globe, animals — especially cats — have occasionally been exploited in drug crimes. Their stealth and flexibility make them ideal couriers in prison environments.

In similar incidents, criminals attached phones or drugs to felines. These animals often entered facilities through tight gaps or holes in fences. Additionally, some were even trained to respond to light flashes or noise cues.

Costa Rica: Cartels and Crisis

This bizarre case emerges amid a troubling surge in Costa Rica’s drug-related violence. Strategically located between South and North America, the country has increasingly become a key drug corridor.

In 2023 alone, authorities seized over 21 tons of cocaine. Meanwhile, homicides jumped by 53% between 2020 and 2023. According to officials, escalating cartel violence is largely to blame.

A U.S. State Department report revealed Costa Rica even overtook Mexico as the leading cocaine transit nation to the U.S.

Fentanyl Finds Its Way

Moreover, in November 2023, Costa Rican police and the DEA busted the country’s first fentanyl lab. Authorities stated the pills were bound for both the U.S. and Europe.

Investigators strongly believe Mexican and Colombian cartels are exploiting Costa Rica’s air and sea routes. Local gangs, in turn, carry out ground-level operations for international drug networks.

Not Just a One-Off

As strange as it sounds, this feline smuggling incident might not be an isolated case. In fact, criminals are experimenting with increasingly creative — and disturbing — ways to evade law enforcement.

Therefore, authorities are rethinking their security approach. One official summed it up perfectly: “If they’re using cats now, what’s next?”