Post date: Sep 12, 2013 2:26:23 PM
A Canadian woman is detained in Colombia allegedly trying to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine - hidden under a fake belly prop - out of the country.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (SEPTEMBER 10, 2013) (POLICE HANDOUT) - Colombian authorities said they arrested a Canadian woman at the El Dorado international airport inBogota on Tuesday (September 10) trying to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine, stashed under a fake pregnant belly prop, out of the country.
Twenty-eight-year-old Ritchie Tabatha Leah, a social worker, had entered the country last August 6 from Toronto.The woman was arrested after trying to board a plane back to Toronto.
When asked how far along in her pregnancy she was by an anti-narcotics inspector, Leah responded seven months.
The inspector then touched the belly and felt that it was cold and hard, encouraging further inspection.
Upon inspection, two sealed cocaine packages were found underneath the latex belly prop tied to Leah's back.
"The National Police through the antinarcotics squad arrested a 28-year-old Canadian citizen, Ritchie Tabatha Leah, who was trying to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine from the El Dorado international airport (in Bogota). The Canadian citizen tried to fool public security forces by faking a pregnancy," said Colonel Esteban Arias Melo, Deputy Director of the Anti-Narcotics Police department.
According to officials, two kilograms of cocaine could fetch up to $60,000 dollars in Canada.
If convicted for drug trafficking, Leah could face up to eight years in prison.
Ninety-four foreigners have been arrested at international airport terminals in Colombia trying to smuggle drugs since the start of 2013.