Troopers Searched the Fish Box. There Wasn't Fish Inside

Cenen Placencia accused of trying to smuggle $400K of drugs in spoiled goat intestines
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 23, 2019 5:30 AM CST
Cops: He Tried to Smuggle $400K of Drugs—in Goat Guts
   (Getty Images/PeterTG)

An Alaska man found with $400,000 in illegal drugs hidden in spoiled goat intestines at an airport has been arrested. Per the AP, Cenen Placencia of Kodiak was arrested Wednesday at Anchorage’s international airport, authorities said. Investigators with Alaska State Troopers searched a large fish box the 71-year-old man had checked as luggage, per an affidavit filed with the charges. Placencia gave his consent to search, according to the affidavit. Inside the box was loosely wrapped frozen meat, the affidavit notes, adding that Placencia consented to the meat being thawed for further investigation; a police dog detected the presence of drugs. Before the meat finished thawing, Placencia withdrew his consent for a search, prompting authorities to obtain a search warrant, the court document says.

Resuming the search, investigators found packages wrapped in plastic containing about 740 grams of heroin and 389 grams of methamphetamine. Placencia told investigators he packed the bag himself and denied knowing about the drugs, per the affidavit; he told investigators he bought the goat intestines for $140 from a California rancher for his own consumption. Placencia was taken into custody at the Anchorage jail, troopers said, and arraigned Friday on a charge of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Troopers said authorities began investigating Placencia in February. In March, authorities served search warrants at his Kodiak home, seizing about 247 grams of heroin and 13 grams of crystal meth, per troopers. The affidavit says nearly $2,280 in suspected drug proceeds also was seized at the home. Those drugs aren't included in the current charges, said Assistant US Attorney Christina Sherman, who added that the investigation continues.

(More strange stuff stories.)

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