Update: Dog Surgically Implanted With Cocaine Will Work for Customs

DRUG TRAFFICKING April 1995

As was reported in the Jan. 1995 NewsBriefs, an Old English Sheepdog was shipped to New York's JFK Airport with five pounds of cocaine surgically implanted in her belly ("Dog Who Carried Drugs in Belly May Work for Customs," NewsBriefs, Jan. 1995, p. 10).

It was announced that the dog, nicknamed "Coke," will serve as a goodwill ambassador for the U.S. Customs Service, according to Customs Service Spokesperson Joan Baran (Joseph P. Fried, "Dog Used to Smuggle Drugs To Embark on a New Career," New York Times, Jan. 13, 1995, p. B3).

John Erik Roa of Paterson, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to smuggle drugs. He admitted that he knew that Coke would be arriving at Kennedy International Airport with drugs implanted in her belly.