Suspect Arrested After Attempting to Smuggle Cocaine Disguised as a Pilot
A man attempting to smuggle cocaine to Europe while posing as an airline pilot has been arrested at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia.
Spanish national Carlos Barbería Hernando allegedly wore a commercial airline pilot’s uniform in an attempt to pass through airport security unnoticed. However, security personnel became suspicious after noticing that the uniform did not fit properly and observing his unusual behaviour.
A detailed search and body scan carried out by Colombia’s National Police Narcotics Unit uncovered a total of 10 kilograms of cocaine concealed around the suspect’s torso and inside his trouser legs. Authorities said the seized drugs could have been distributed as approximately 25,000 doses on the European market.
The investigation found that Hernando had received pilot training several years ago but did not hold an active pilot licence and was not employed by any airline. Authorities believe the cocaine was intended to be transported to Barcelona, Spain, and are investigating whether the case is linked to a wider drug trafficking network.
