Detection of drug mules at airport soars

THE number of so-called drug mules being caught trying to ferry illegal substances through Dublin airport has soared in the past year, figures reveal.

A total of 51 people were caught attempting to smuggle a variety of drugs into Ireland via the country’s largest airport, including eight people who had swallowed quantities of cocaine pellets.

In 2007 the number of drug mules intercepted by customs officials at the airport stood at 33. That figure increased to 51 last year, most of whom were foreign nationals travelling into Ireland from South Africa or South America, via another airport in Europe.