(FreedomBeacon.com)- A pigeon breeder approached federal customs agents with a strange issue over a century ago.
Two metal capsules containing cocaine had flown back to his Texas house on the legs of a pigeon he had just sold to a Mexican customer.
After a quick investigation, authorities declared their finding.
On February 2, 1930, an all-caps newspaper headline screamed, “CARRIER PIGEONS SMUGGLE DRUGS.”
Since then, drug-smuggling pigeons have been discovered throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
The birds are captured with pills or powder put into miniature backpacks, tiny baggies, or zippered pouches; occasionally, the trap is failed because the weight prevents the birds from flying.
One was taken in British Columbia last week for the first time in recent memory.
John Randle, head of the Union for Canadian Correctional Officers’ Pacific area, described the situation as “a bit of a curveball.”
On Dec. 29, Randle recalled that it was a typical day following the holidays at Pacific Institution in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Officers were positioned in one of the gated inmate unit yards, frequently used by inmates to relax, play games, or simply breathe fresh air.
The cops then observed a grey bird carrying a little parcel on its back, which they thought was odd.
Randle remarked, “From what I gather, it was tied to it in a manner akin to like a tiny backpack.”
The police entered.
Randle remarked, “They had to corner it. You can picture what trying to catch a pigeon might look like.”
After “a considerable amount of time,” the officers captured the bird, unloaded it, and released it.
Randle estimated the amount of crystal meth in the shipment to be around 30 grams, which he called a “pretty considerable” amount of the highly addictive stimulant.
The discovery of crystal meth on the bird is “certainly worrisome,” he continued, “because that produces a whole bunch of difficulties.”
Corrections Canada said it is conducting an investigation but remained mum on the specifics.
