Cats are known for their curiosity, cleverness, and occasional mischief.

But in a Costa Rican prison earlier this month, one cat’s antics went far beyond stolen socks or shredded curtains.

This feline was caught red-pawed in a real-life crime caper—smuggling drugs into a high-security facility.

The feline felon: A not-so-purrfect crime​

On May 6, guards at Pococí Penitentiary spotted an ordinary-looking cat wandering the grounds. But something didn’t sit right. The cat had strange gray patches on its fur.

Upon closer inspection, officers discovered that the patches weren’t fur at all—they were plastic bags strapped to the animal’s body.

Inside? 236 grams of marijuana and 86 grams of crack cocaine.


Footage released by the Costa Rican Ministry of Justice shows the moment officers cornered the climbing cat before carefully removing the drugs.

The feline was then turned over to National Animal Health Services for evaluation—and hopefully, a fresh start far away from the drug trade.

Believe it or not, this isn’t an isolated incident. In Costa Rican, criminals have increasingly used animals to smuggle contraband into prisons. The method is disturbingly simple:

• Outsiders attach drugs to animals—usually cats, dogs, or birds.
• They lure the animals toward prison walls using food or scent trails.
• Inmates who’ve befriended the animals coax them inside to retrieve the packages.

It’s a clever scheme—but a cruel one. Animals are unwitting participants, and they’re often put in harm’s way without any understanding of the risks.



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This isn’t the first cat to get tangled in a drug smuggling operation. In 2021, prison guards in Panama intercepted a fluffy white feline near the Nueva Esperanza jail, carrying a cloth pouch filled with cocaine, marijuana, and crack.

The story went viral, capturing global attention and highlighting just how far smugglers will go.

Other cases around the world have included carrier pigeons with drug-filled backpacks, rats trained to carry messages, and dogs smuggling cell phones. Yes, really.

Costa Rica’s crackdown on prison crime​

The narco cat’s capture comes as Costa Rica tightens its grip on prison security. President Rodrigo Chaves recently unveiled plans for a new maximum-security prison, inspired by El Salvador’s infamous facility.

He’s also pushing for major reforms to existing prisons, including:

• Shutting down in-prison shops
• Restricting conjugal visits
• Limiting food deliveries from families

The goal? To cut off the flow of drugs and contraband into correctional facilities—and creative animal schemes are clearly on the radar.



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Who’s really paying the price?​

It’s easy to laugh at the absurdity of a cat turned criminal courier, but let’s not forget: the real victims here are the animals. These tactics exploit the trust and instincts of animals for illegal profit.

Fortunately, in this case, the cat was safely rescued and placed under the care of veterinary professionals. But many animals in similar situations don’t get that lucky.

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Have you ever heard of animals being used in surprising ways? Do you think prisons are doing enough to protect animals from exploitation? Or maybe your own pet once got into some unexpected trouble? We’d love to hear your stories, thoughts, and suggestions in the comments below.