HOUSTON, Texas–A pilot is accused of smuggling several bags of cocaine into the U.S. on May 26, as he flew from Colombia, South America to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Although the suspect–a 49-year-old male–is a licensed pilot, in this particular instance he was a passenger. KPRC 2 News reported that the individual swallowed several sealed bags full of cocaine before boarding a plane in Colombia. During the flight, one of those bags reportedly burst in his stomach.
The man apparently called 9-11 himself after landing at IAH, as he knew he had little time before the drugs would kill him. Reports state that he was subsequently taken to Hermann Memorial Hospital.
According to KPRC 2, the man underwent successful surgery and is now conscious and recovering. His hospital room is reportedly being guarded by Houston Police Officers as charges are pending against him, reports state.
A spokesman from IAH told Breitbart Texas that, to his knowledge, flights in and out of the airport have not been impeded by the incident. He was not able to give further information at this time.
The Houston Police Department (HPD) did not immediately return Breitbart Texas’ calls in order to provide further details.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, is apparently a resident of Dallas, Texas. At this time it is not known which airline, if any, he is an employee of.
It is likely that the man used his pilot status to bypass normal security in the Colombian airport where the plane took off.
Follow Kristin Tate on Twitter @KristinBTate.
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