'Drug-smuggling cat' caught trying to sneak into prison with heroin strapped to back

A cat caught sneaking into a prison was attempting to smuggle nearly half a kilogram of and behind bars in a makeshift backpack. The mischievous moggy was apprehended in as it attempted to gain entry to the Pococi Penitentiary in Pococi by clambering over the facility's fence.

The Costa Rican Ministry of Justice said in a social media post that the would-be drug mule was caught with several packets of , including 236 grams of cannabis and around 68 grams of heroin. guards have said they believe the cat was attempting to smuggle drugs to inmates.

Andress Gutierrez, head of the Panama Penitentiary system, said the cat was found with "a cloth tied around its neck" with packages inserted inside.

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The packages contained white powder, leaves and "vegetable matter", he said, with an official statement from the Ministry of Justice adding the cat was discovered as it attempted to vault a barbed wire lined fence. An English translation of the statement read: "An officer stationed at one of the forts spotted the animal in the green zone and immediately raised the alarm."

The statement added that the cat was caught "thanks to the swift actions of the responding officers" and that its packages were removed before they could reach their intended destination.

A video of the captured suspect showed the cat being taken down from its fence perch and carefully handled as officials cut off its makeshift backpack. They later handed the cat over to the National Animal Health Service for an evaluation after the drugs were cut free from its body.

According to local reports, prisoners are known to use animals to transport drugs by luring them with food into their cells after they have been loaded with packages.

Prison officials are now reviewing CCTV footage as they investigate where the cat came from, and where it was likely being lured to while equipped with the drugs. The unusual incident and video of the cat's hijinks sparked a spirited conversation online, with social media users poking fun while condemning prisoners for taking advantage of the cat.

One social media user joked: "How many years cat got." And another quipped: "Hope the judge showed the cat some leniency." One user joked the cat was making a Breaking Bad-style decision.

They said: "He's actually doing this to pay for his veterinarian treatment in America." Others were more outraged and concerned for the cat's welfare, with one person saying: "Poor kitty! I'll bet the intended recipient of its cargo wouldn't have been that careful in removing the drugs!"

Another added: "That poor kitten. So sad. Glad it’s ok."