By Monday morning, Rincon Pineyro had expulsed 49 pellets which tested positive to heroin. The estimated street value of the seized heroin is $45,000. As a result of the Department of Homeland Security, tightening inspections at U.S. ports of entry, smugglers are taking more chances to try to bring in dangerous drugs and contraband. 

An internal carrier or ?swallower? is an individual that ingests narcotics in the form of pellets that vary slightly in weight and size made from the fingers of rubber gloves and prophylactics which are swallowed in order to transport the narcotics undetected to pass later at their final destination. It is not unusual for experienced swallowers to ingest as many as 100 pellets.  

Internal smuggling is an extremely dangerous concealment method for the carrier. Carriers have died after narcotics pellets have breached while inside them. Internal carriers put their lives at great risk as it is not uncommon for the pellets to leak during transport, which could result in the individual?s death. 

?Through our border security efforts, CBP remains vigilant to interdict dangerous and illegal drugs,? said Mike Denning, CBP?s assistant director of border security for the Atlanta region. "Although the dangers involved in the smuggling of contraband sometimes receives less attention than the danger to end-users of illegal drugs, the risks are every bit as real."