Wednesday, September 30 the Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela, Costa Rica was the scene of the 18th capture of a “drug mule” so far this year, said the Ministry of Public Security.

Officials with Costa Rica’s drug control police (PCD) stopped a 54-year-old Romanian man surnamed Oprisoni who was heading for Spain, and later discovered he was carrying packets of cocaine in his stomach.

The man was taken by police to an unidentified medical center where he expelled a total of 52 packets from Wednesday to Thursday, said police.

Oprisoni entered Costa Rica August 14 from Spain, and was planning to return there when he was intercepted by police. The 52 packets weighed a total of 528 grams of cocaine.

The man also was carrying US$760 and 17,000 colones in cash.

Police said that individuals found guilty under Law 8204, which regulates narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, unauthorized drugs and related activities, money laundering, and terrorism financing, can face penalties of eight to 20 years in prison in Costa Rica.