Journal de toxicologie clinique
Libre accès

Abstrait

Liquid Cocaine Body Packing: Report of a Case and Literature Review

N. Pujol-Cano, FX. Molina-Romero, M. Jiménez-Segovia, A. Oseira-Reigosa, J. Bonnin-Pascual, E. Palma-Zamora, FX. González-Argenté, JM. Morón-Canis

Background: Liquid cocaine body packing is a novel and rare method for drug smuggling. This new modality of drug trafficking is more difficult to detect by X-ray due to its low density and its purity is higher than powdered cocaine.Methods: We are discussing about a 38-year-old male with clinical and radiological diagnosis of intestinal occlusion secondary to condom filled with liquid cocaine. On abdominal X-ray no foreign body is detected. CT scan reveals a hyperdense image compatible with a cocaine liquid package in distal ileum with retrograde dilatation of small bowel. Results: Laparotomy is performed and after the enterotomy, the liquid cocaine package is carefully “milked” and removed. Postoperative period is uneventful. Conclusion: Drug trafficking has evolved in recent Zmes. Knowing this new variant is crucial to detect mules and provide them adequate treatment. Its ignorance can induce underdiagnosis and fatal consequences for the patient.