Border Agents Find Meth Hidden Under Woman’s Loose Belly Fat at El Paso Crossing

A woman has been charged with attempting to smuggle drugs by hiding them under her loose belly fat. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested the defendant at a port of entry in El Paso as she tried to smuggle the drugs from Mexico into the United States.

Agents first noticed Nancy Dominguez and her companion, Hector Ruben Rojas, as they approached the pedestrian inspection building at the Paso del Norte Port of Entry in Downtown El Paso, according to a report by the nonprofit news outlet Border Report.

Despite traveling together, Dominguez and Rojas proceeded to different windows to cross into the United States. According to court documents, Rojas was carrying a thermos and appeared to be fidgeting during the admission interview.

When a border official questioned him about the contents of the thermos, Rojas responded that it contained “juice.” The CBP agent took the container, and upon inspection, discovered a black bundle, which was later identified as a possible narcotic by a K-9 officer.

Meanwhile, Dominguez, who had already been cleared to enter the country, remained near the building waiting for Rojas. Officers escorted her back inside for questioning and called in the drug-sniffing dog again, which alerted border agents to the possible presence of narcotics.

After being patted down, two female agents noticed Dominguez was wearing an “abnormally tight” girdle. Upon conducting a body inspection, approved by a CBP supervisor, agents found a clear plastic bag containing methamphetamine hidden under her “pannus stomach,” or belly flap.

Dominguez and Rojas blamed each other for the nearly half a pound of crystal meth they were collectively trying to smuggle into the United States. Rojas claimed Dominguez gave him the thermos, while Dominguez accused him of belonging to a drug trafficking organization.

When officers searched their cellphones, they reportedly found incriminating conversations between both defendants and third parties.

Dominguez and Rojas face charges of importation and possession of a controlled substance. Their next court hearing is scheduled for April 4, per Border Report.