Ep 5. Hidden Compartments

To Catch a Smuggler is a riveting show that follows U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents as they protect the country from drug smugglers and other criminal activities at the world's busiest airport, JFK International Airport. In Season 3, Episode 5, titled 'Hidden Compartments,' the agents' expertise is put to the test as they search for creative ways criminals are using to hide drugs in their luggage.

The episode opens with the agents observing a passenger who has just arrived on a flight from the Dominican Republic. The passenger, a young woman in her mid-20s, has aroused suspicion because of her nervous behavior and her luggage. When the agents inspect her bags, they find nothing out of the ordinary, but something about her story doesn't add up, and they decide to conduct a more thorough search.

To do so, they take her bag to a special room that is equipped with technology to detect hidden compartments. They send the bag through a scanner, but it shows no signs of contraband. However, the agents are not convinced and decide to take the bag apart piece by piece. As they tear it apart, they discover a hidden compartment that is cleverly concealed behind a false bottom.

Inside the secret compartment, they find several packages of cocaine wrapped in plastic. The total weight of the drugs is over four kilograms, which has a street value of approximately $700,000. The agents arrest the passenger, and she is taken into custody for questioning. She denies knowing anything about the cocaine, but her story falls apart under further interrogation.

The episode then follows the agents as they continue their search for hidden compartments. They reveal some of the more sophisticated methods used by criminals to hide drugs, such as concealing them inside the lining of luggage or creating false bottoms. The agents explain that these compartments are often difficult to detect using standard methods, which is why they rely on technology to find them.

The agents are also shown investigating a case involving a shipment of heroin that was sent by mail. The agents find that the heroin is hidden inside a seemingly ordinary package of books. But when they scan the package using a special X-ray machine, they discover a hidden compartment that contains the drugs. The agents then set up a controlled delivery of the package and arrest the individual who receives it.

The episode concludes with the agents reflecting on the importance of their role in protecting the country from drug smugglers. They emphasize the importance of their training and experience in detecting criminal activity and explain that they will continue to do everything they can to keep the country safe.

In summary, Season 3, Episode 5 of To Catch a Smuggler, titled 'Hidden Compartments,' is a thrilling episode that showcases the skills and expertise of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. The episode demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to hide drugs and the sophisticated methods that agents use to uncover them. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in law enforcement and the fight against illegal drugs.