CINCINNATI — Smugglers attempted to bring nearly $17,000 of meth into the United States by concealing it in the frames of eight religious paintings. A Customs and Border Protection K-9 sniffed out the drugs as the package passed through Cincinnati in March 6.
According to a news release from CBP, narcotic detector dog Kajo alerted inspectors to a shipment mailed from Mexico and destined for Houston, Texas. It contained several framed paintings of Jesus, Pope Francis and the Virgin Mary — plus 9.2 pounds of powder meth hidden in the back panels of the frames.
CBP estimated the drugs would have been worth $16,720 if sold on the street.
“Our canine partners and their handlers are some of CBP’s most valuable resources,” said CBP Cleveland Area port director Eugene Matho in a news release. “They are often our last line of defense, and because of their skill and dedication these dangerous drugs are not on our streets.”
