Overview

• A black-and-white cat was caught at the Pococí Penitentiary carrying 235 grams of marijuana, 68 grams of crack paste, and rolling papers strapped to its body.
• The cat has been handed over to the National Animal Health Service for evaluation while the drugs are under legal review.
• Officials are actively analyzing security footage to identify those responsible for deploying the cat and the intended recipients of the narcotics.
• The incident highlights a recurring tactic of using animals to smuggle contraband into Costa Rican prisons, where inmates reportedly lure them with food.
• President Rodrigo Chaves has recently proposed a new maximum-security prison and stricter measures to curb contraband as part of his tough-on-crime strategy.