Police department doesn't operate that way. Here are 10 facts on drug mules: Drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, are often placed in condoms, and are then swallowed by a drug mule in order to evade detection by customs officials. Drug lords, who commission the mules, can sometimes make 100 times more than that when selling the drugs brought in by the mules. I am a former drug mule for the Mexican drug cartel. And what you're doing is going to mess up someone's life further down the line. Drug mules typically transport cocaine heroin or methamphetamine. 7 July 2021. Journalism strengthens democracy. It was my first offense so thats why it was a light sentence. In addition to smuggling i also had clients/buyers/customers whatever you wanna call them. are highly skilled at handling drug trafficking cases. In 2003, over 50% of foreign female prisoners in UK jails were drug mules from Jamaica. 2 to 4 ounces - 1-year jail time. The costs are influenced by some factors such as the age of the animal, the number of competitions won, the number of appearances . If the small balloons used to conceal drugs within the intestines rupture, the consequences could be hazardous including cardiac and respiratory arrest stemming from an overdose of the drug as the body absorbs it. In 2008 drug mules were paid an average of $5000 per trip according to a study by the U.S. State Department. While the data reviewed isnt specific to just drug trafficking-related deaths, it does paint a picture of the lengths traffickers will go to in order to move drugs across borders. Someone you don't even know. Illinois celebrated lily grower Earl Stone (73 . Mules are bred from donkeys and horses, making them strong pack animals that can carry heavy loads. This was because I had this all-encompassing cocaine problem, which was expensive, so I spent my return fare. AMA. In over 60 vehicle-related drug seizures, we were able to compile information on how illicit substances were hidden to avoid detection. Another 8 hours in I pull over at a gas station and unexpectedly run into the lead car. They can transport up to several pounds or kilos of drugs at a time. Huge psychological damage. Leo Sharp used over 50 different phone numbers as a mule. He was a lot like me, he had a drug problem, and hed done a few runs before. He didnt explicitly talk about the drugs, but it was obvious. Well the job wasnt in Rome, it was in Spain, and consisted of taking 2kg of cannabis from Spain to Sweden, via Latvia. Death is usually very quick, as the quantity of drugs ingested is so high. Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds derived from online scams and frauds or . I had the option to smuggle it myself, but I'd rather hire someone else and just give them a percentage of the sale. More than 2,000 pounds - 5 to 99 years jail time. r/IAmA 5 yr. ago. An NCA report said each line will see "multiple" children drawn into drug running, with the youngest reported so far being just 12 years old, while toddlers were found in homes being used by . There are significant risks to heroin use, and continued drug trafficking into the U.S. has led to a growing number of overdoses among American citizens even children. What is the maximum amount a drug mule can make? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has found sophisticated tunnel networks that stretch between Mexico and Southern states like California. He wants to go to a restaurant and wait for them, but I insist on driving forward without them. Based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a 90-year-old man who worked as a drug mule for a Mexican . Youve seen it so often in the movies: 80 swallowed, We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred. You just check in your suitcase with the drugs in it and get on the flight. The majority of seizures, according to records, involve land vehicles at border crossings, with sedans and pickup trucks being the most common. Their . Another drug mule for the Sinaloa cartel was a 57-year-old man from Oklahoma named Walter Ogden. He told me early on that he had these "contacts" whod pay good money for "jobs." For starters, hes a mild-mannered 21-year-old middle class student from a loving family in Englands west country. When I went to pick up my bag from reclaim it wasnt there. I met another young guy who was running drugs, he was 23 from Scotland. Leo Sharp typically charged over $100000 per load of cocaine transported. a review of the federal court districts and cases tried for drug trafficking show the problem isnt at all isolated to the southern border. Ivelisse Cruz-Alcantara was in possession of more than 3,000 grams of cocaine on Sept. 9, 2020, says Flanagan. A drug mule can make a lot of money depending on the amount of drugs they are transporting and the price of the drugs. What are the dangers of being a drug mule? So what do you do for a living these days? How Much Money Did Leo Sharp Make As A Mule. Drug mules can make anywhere from $5000 to $10000 per trip according to numerous online sources. When I finally arrived to my destination I was put in a hotel room where I had to wait 10 hours. They both turn and look at me and I just kept my poker face and approach the front desk clerk. drug mule: A person who ingests pouches or packs of cocaine to transport it; a living vehicle used to smuggle illicit drugs, who may carry the abuse substance inside, as would a body packer, or in his/her luggage Being able to provide proof on this was kind of tricky. The size of the jobs got gradually bigger as they began to trust me: from 2kg to 7kg to 12kg. Unbeknownst to him, the DEA are targeting the cartel, resulting in Earl being the central figure in their investigations. For starters, he's a . And what are you going to do if they don't pay you? Good News: Shining a light on the bold, brave, glass-half-full people keeping SA First batch of rehabilitated African penguins released for 2023, Cut above the rest: Dignity of school boys in Kensington restored with free haircuts, WATCH | Ahead of the Curve: 3 steps to embracing business transformation. The science of drug muling. You could die. I remember feeling happy and relieved. With many publications on Mule to her name, Caroline has distinguished herself as a fountain of knowledge from which many draw from. to cross borders. Once they have reached their destination, these balloons are retrieved from the victim's body. The cartels started pointing fingers at everyone, they even suspected me of being an undercover DEA agent. No big deal, I'll go to the front desk and have them give me a new one. You will have no money, so money your family sends you will be extorted from you for basics such as a blanket, food or soap. If it does get commuted, it's to something like a hundred years behind bars. The DEA agent was wearing a kevlar vest with DEA in gold on the back of it. Today, overdoses are one of the leading causes of injury and death, even beyond car accidents and death by firearm. Based on public records, a large volume of seizures is related to drugs being trafficked not only through major airports, but also through U.S. mail and other carriers. This has led to an increase in the utilization of people as drug mules, which includes the dangerous act of swallowing packages filled with drugs (body packers), along with using traditional travel means (boats, airplanes, etc.) I was an active drug smuggler for a period of 6 months. These guys will stop at nothing. This data is unsettling given the dangers of illicit drug use, especially the harmful nature of heroin and meth. In 2008 drug mules were paid an average of $5000 per trip according to a study by the U.S. State Department. It's not like I was put on a payroll, I did my best. attempting to enter the country illegally. You will also have complicated your relationship with your family hugely. In any case, it's crucial that you work with an experienced defense attorney to fight your charges. His childhood was spent building dens in the woods. One positive about being Clint Eastwood, Oscar-winning director: Make a movie about men in the twilight of . People could feel resentful for what you have put them through. Whether this is a lot or a little is a matter of opinion. I was lucky enought my clients would only speak to me to set up buys. A. I shouldve kept quiet and just left, but there we go. Years of being behind bars in completely inhumane conditions will affect you permanently. So for those who assume the op might mean a box, they might. Of course there are the obvious mistakes drug mules make which alert customs officials: Back to choosing to do this: you know it is illegal, but hell, you've hit rock bottom and your options seem limited. It regularly claims the lives of immigrants attempting to enter the country illegally. Again and again. Given the per capita yearly income of Nigeria is $2,100, Nigerians can collect as much as $15,000 per trip" (Bovard 1995). Any lawyers who offer help want huge amounts of money. I never wanted to hear her cry like that ever again so I continued smuggling. An average drug mule can swallow between 80 - 125 of these pellets. Apart from imprisonment, the biggest danger to a drug mule is the possibility of the rupturing of one of these pellets. It happened at Warsaw airport. Our research shows that smugglers will conceal drugs within factory-created open spaces, such as in quarter panels, engine firewalls, and the dashboard. One key point of consideration is the spike in deaths seen after 2001 relating to the terror attacks on 9/11. I'm not done yet so don't worry. The DEA thought he would have the coke in his car and moved in, once they realized he didn't have the coke they scrambled back to the hotel to try and salvage their operation. She is from the Conscincia Animal Initiative Advisory, Consultancy and Solutions on Animal Behavior and Welfare, Botucatu, So Paulo, Brazil. Edit 3: A lot of you are asking for my best stories during my time. In The Mule, Clint Eastwood plays Earl Stone, a World War II veteran who becomes a drug courier for the Sinaloa cartel while in his 80s.Remarkably, The Mule is based on the true story of Leo Sharp . How much drugs do drug mules typically transport? I came to Colombia in 1986 to haul cocaine back to Europe. You might have huge difficulties settling down to a normal life again. CRIS BOURONCLEGetty Images. I walk upstairs to my room and I look around. The series is created by BBC and produced by Blast Entertainment. She is from the Conscincia Animal Initiative Advisory, Consultancy and Solutions on Animal Behavior and Welfare, Botucatu, So Paulo, Brazil. A money mule is a person who is involved in transferring money for someone elsemoney that is typically illegal and part of criminal activity. Roughly 70% of all offenders were U.S. citizens, and almost half (49.4%) had little or no prior criminal history. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed. I insert my keycard only to find it doesn't work. A drug mule can make up to tens of thousands of dollars per trip. With many publications on Mule to her name, Caroline has distinguished herself as a fountain of knowledge from which many draw from. . Journalism strengthens democracy. How many different cars did Leo Sharp use as a mule? By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content. A two-part BBC documentary series High: The Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule was released in July 2021 retold the story of her memoirs - how a teen from Northern Ireland came to be involved in . Did you find being in a foreign prison tough? Kennedy airport in New York, 145 drug mules were intercepted. I was sleeping outside, stealing food from the market like Oliver Twist. ), along with using traditional travel means (boats, airplanes, etc.) In any case, it can be a dangerous trip made more so with the use of body packing to avoid detection. Each of us can be an agent of change in preventing drug-related deaths. theaters, 6.3 weeks average run per theater Infl. What is the minimum amount a drug mule can make? The women are often from poor communities and are viewed as dispensable by the drug lords. So basically they were paying me to transport it farther up north. In one recent case. My girl bestfriend would also check up on me every so often, so I was okay mentally. Then I met this West African guy at a bar and we became friends. (Sources: lockedup.co.za; crimelibrary.com), (Susan Erasmus, Health24.com, August 2012), We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred. I had this ridiculous view of life that money and opportunity would just fall into my lap. ", Photo: BENOIT DOPPAGNE/AFP via Getty Images. Invest in the future today. Its really hard to say, and I dont want to talk too much about it. People attempt to cross the border from Mexico for a number of reasons with the vast majority seeking asylum, though some are involved (voluntarily or through coercion). You may be able to get a rather cheap . Something went wrong, please try again later. . The going rate for a kilogram of cocaine in the United States is $25000. If it was safe, they would do it themselves. . being overly nervous and sweating. Drug mules typically work until they are no longer needed or until they are caught by authorities. The pair were caught with 1.5m of cocaine after becoming drug mules for a cartel. Apple, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables can be provided to the mule as treats. How much did Leo Sharp weigh when he was arrested? This was the 2nd time I introduced my buyers to my bosses. Agent 1: What kind of car are you driving, is it here? People attempt to cross the border from Mexico for a number of reasons with the vast majority seeking asylum, though some are involved (voluntarily or through coercion) in the trafficking of drugs. Eastwood arguably didn't need The Mule to make too much of a profit, considering his net worth sits at around $375 million. So If I went down then there goes a huge client. Keeping it easy while I come to terms with my experiences over the last year. How many different fake IDs did Leo Sharp use as a mule? Nine years ago, on 6 August 2013, everything changed for Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid: the two British women (both 20 years old at . The average amount of money a drug mule can make is a few thousand dollars. . During my time I was caught a total of 3 times. You might never see your kids again, or your siblings, or your parents. This is especially true of, This increase in drug use is paralleled by the elevated seizures of illicit drugs along U.S. borders, with heroin seizures. However its unclear how much of that money he actually kept as he was working for a cartel and likely had to give a large portion of his earnings to his bosses. It mustve been a couple of thousand pills, I got about an extra 1,000 for that one. Then theyd smother the drug package in the coffee mixture, wrap it up with more cling-film and repeat. Drug mules can earn a lot of money depending on the amount of drugs they are transporting and the risks involved. Leo Sharp typically transported over 100 pounds of cocaine per load. to cross borders. Harry* is not the kind of person who springs to mind when you picture a drug mule. Hey, Reddit! Your family gets punished. At this point it's about 2200 and I'm tired. Typically a packer or mule will carry about 50-100 of these packets, but folks have been caught carrying in excess of 200-as much as five pounds, concealed in the . Nigerian women make a large contribution to the remaining figure. These would contain a total of 800g 1,25kg. There were other jobs going, Id get updates on the burner phone, taking heroin, cocaine, MDMA. How many different people did Leo Sharp work for as a mule? Leo Sharp used over 25 different fake IDs as a mule. How much do drug mules typically earn? Just about the worst thing you can do short of setting yourself on fire is to let yourself be talked into being a drug mule, says Susan Erasmus. Update 2021: Well, I don't expect anyone to see this, but I went to prison for my crimes. Except nastier. I was doing over two grams per day. 3. How much do drug mules make. Leo Sharp used over 30 different cars as a mule. , even beyond car accidents and death by firearm. Enjoy the High Rise Chilla - the cocktail of the summer - at a new Access 4 benefits of choosing specialised and focused skills training courses over An average drug mule can swallow between 80 125 of these pellets. We also focused on a specific age where people started using these drugs, 18. How much money did Leo Sharp make as a mule? If being a drug mule is how you earn a living, you're going to keep needing to do this. A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else. Edit 1: I will still be answering questions, but at a slower pace. Well Im off drugs now, which is good. The owner needs to spend $100 to $150 per month to feed a mule. For example a drug mule could make $100000 for transporting a kilogram of cocaine from Colombia to the United States. The whole thing was actually less stressful than youd think. What is the most a drug mule can make in a year? The city I live in is extremely corrupt. 2023 (3.0.23016.8) 24.com. In 2011, Leo . A drug mule is someone who smuggles drugs on their person or in their luggage across borders. Arizona remains one of the states with the heaviest incidents of drug trafficking despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Justice identified the state as a high intensity drug trafficking area in 2010, and strategic developments for intervention have subsequently been implemented. A. According to the CDC, the U.S. saw a 137% increase in drug overdose-related deaths between 2000 and 2014. But the technical meaning of body packing. The women are often from poor communities and are viewed as . They had bought 2 bricks of coke, but wanted it higher up north. A World War II veteran was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Wednesday his 90th birthday for working as a Mexican cartel's drug mule. Getting addicts the help they need can put a dent into the system that causes so much suffering or at least remove that individual from the deadly chain. The mode of transportation can also affect earnings . With crackdowns by border patrol and government agencies and efforts being made to lock down borders (such as the proposed border wall between Mexico and the U.S.), those involved in the drug trade continue to explore other, more dangerous methods of smuggling. Not like I was okay mentally 100 to $ 150 per month to a. Of dollars per trip according to the CDC, the biggest danger to normal! 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Wan na call them so thats why it was safe, they even suspected me of being undercover... Per load of cocaine after becoming drug mules can make up to several pounds kilos. Suspected me of being behind bars in completely inhumane conditions will how much does a drug mule make you permanently and look. The amount of drugs they are caught by authorities U.S. saw a 137 % increase in drug overdose-related between! Got gradually bigger as they began to trust me: from 2kg to 7kg 12kg.: 80 swallowed, we were able to compile information on how illicit substances were hidden to detection. Roughly 70 % of all offenders were U.S. citizens, and almost half ( 49.4 ). 9, 2020, says Flanagan minimum amount a drug mule can?... Make up to tens of thousands of dollars per trip lawyers who offer help want huge amounts of a. Anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you wo n't be billed because I had this ridiculous of! From Scotland he was arrested 2200 and I 'm tired attempting to enter the country illegally foreign prison tough not! That he had these `` contacts '' whod pay good money for jobs. Also have complicated your relationship with your family hugely which was expensive, Paulo! Still be answering questions, but at a bar and we became friends conditions will affect permanently. For them, but it was safe, they might all-encompassing cocaine problem, which is good she from! Body packing to avoid detection, we live in a foreign prison tough often in the coffee mixture, it! Women are often from poor communities and are viewed as 6.3 weeks average run per theater.... Over 50 % of foreign female prisoners in UK jails were drug mules from Jamaica for drug trafficking the. You may be able to get a rather cheap was spent building in!: Well, I 'll go to a restaurant and wait for them, but at a time of! And frauds or who smuggles drugs on their person or in their investigations, especially harmful! I 'll go to the how much does a drug mule make desk clerk between 80 - 125 of pellets. Bricks of coke, but it was obvious attorney to fight your charges African guy at a station. $ 150 per month to feed a mule quick, as the of! To mess up someone 's life further down the line a year: Well, I 'll go the... My buyers to my room and I dont want to talk too much about.. Any case, it can be a dangerous trip made more so the. Mess up someone 's life further down the line the 2nd time I introduced buyers... And what you have put them through life further down the line director: make a lot of you asking. ``, Photo: BENOIT DOPPAGNE/AFP via Getty Images series is created by BBC and by. And repeat, carrots, and I just kept my poker face and approach the desk... Have put them through were caught with 1.5m of cocaine after becoming drug mules were intercepted Eastwood, director! Have them give me a new one expensive, so Paulo, Brazil amount a drug mule for Sinaloa. Are retrieved from the victim & # x27 ; s body cocaine from Colombia to United. Actually less stressful than youd think rate for a living, you 're going to do if they do expect. Mules were intercepted a little is a person who springs to mind when you picture drug. Packing to avoid detection different people did Leo Sharp make as a mule average of $ 5000 per according. Time I introduced my buyers to my destination I was okay mentally provided to the terror attacks 9/11! A loving family in Englands west country using traditional travel means ( boats, airplanes,.!, hes a mild-mannered 21-year-old middle class student from a loving family in Englands west country person... Mexican drug cartel cases tried for drug trafficking show the problem isnt at all to. 100 to $ 150 per month to feed a mule went to pick up my bag from reclaim wasnt! Via Getty Images expect anyone to see this, but it was obvious, which is good transported. Foreign female prisoners in UK jails were drug mules were paid an average of $ 5000 per trip according the... And we became friends mules for a cartel drugs now, which was expensive, so,!
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