I walk towards a business and right before I walk in the same car pulls up and the same DEA agent I saw earlier steps out. You can buy a healthy mule for $1000 to $3000. Death is usually very quick, as the quantity of drugs ingested is so high. You have, after all, broken the law. Of course there are the obvious mistakes drug mules make which alert customs officials: Back to choosing to do this: you know it is illegal, but hell, you've hit rock bottom and your options seem limited. Among the drug mules caught at the California ports of entry, we find that the mean reported compensation amount is $1,604 and the median is $1,313. The city I live in is extremely corrupt. Mules do not spawn naturally, but they can spawn through cross-breeding a horse with a donkey. According to the CDC, the U.S. saw a 137% increase in drug overdose-related deaths between 2000 and 2014. She was crying and in a lot of emotional pain, hearing her in that state hurt. Nicolas Cristin, the Dark Web does anywhere between $300,00 and $500,000 in sales per day. In fact, if having to kill you is part of the operation, then it is. Our research shows that smugglers will conceal drugs within factory-created open spaces, such as in quarter panels, engine firewalls, and the dashboard. Today. I think the mark-up from Spain to Sweden is quite large; they buy it for around 500 ($556), and it sells for something around 4,000 ($4,450). The DEA thought he would have the coke in his car and moved in, once they realized he didn't have the coke they scrambled back to the hotel to try and salvage their operation. And, of course, every now and then people do get away with it, otherwise no one would try anymore. How many loads of cocaine did Leo Sharp transport as a mule? Around 1100 my boss tells me he's going to go meet his clients. It is estimated that Leo Sharp made over $100 million dollars as a mule. Apple, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables can be provided to the mule as treats. When the merchandise was finally unloaded from the vehicle I immediately drove back home. You could die. Some people may feel that the money is worth the risk while others may not. We're city name police department. A drug mule can make less than $3 000 for a trip. Story Highlights. And also, the most important thing to remember is many countries impose the death penalty for drug mules. Not that they really did muchI think they stopped looking for me after they found out I had a drug problem. Id stay in nice hotels all around Europe, however briefly. This was because I had this all-encompassing cocaine problem, which was expensive, so I spent my return fare. Ever. Seven or eight times, over a six month period. He arrives to the hotel around 0300. Keeping it easy while I come to terms with my experiences over the last year. I came to Colombia in 1986 to haul cocaine back to Europe. Edit 3: A lot of you are asking for my best stories during my time. I was given pocket money on top of the fees for the jobs. Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24. The ITTC estimates that 12% of 365 drug . Apart from imprisonment, the biggest danger to a drug mule is the possibility of the rupturing of one of these pellets. Nevertheless its safe to say that Sharp made a significant amount of money from his illegal activity. Once they have reached their destination, these balloons are retrieved from the victim's body. Agent 2: What kind of training do you have? Each of us can be an agent of change in preventing drug-related deaths. I don't know why, but my first instinct was to call my girl bestfriend. Among the drug mules caught at the California ports of entry, we find that the mean reported compensation amount is $1,604 and the median is $1,313. a 65 percent decline in border apprehension and deaths, which the White House has attributed to political policies and proposals such as the border wall and changes in immigration law , One key point of consideration is the spike in deaths seen after 2001 relating to the terror attacks on 9/11. Couple hours later we finally arrive to our destination. Well the job wasnt in Rome, it was in Spain, and consisted of taking 2kg of cannabis from Spain to Sweden, via Latvia. People could feel resentful for what you have put them through. The dangers include being caught by law enforcement being robbed and being killed. How much money do mules make? X-rays, urine tests and sniffer dogs are used to detect the presence of drugs. How many trips does a drug mule have to make to earn a lot of money? The fear of terrorism, brought extensive hiring of border patrol agents, and additional walls were built at key crossing points into the U.S. . My short bio: I grew up in Dublin. By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content. Additional data, including information pulled from court documents, show cartels continue to use, Arizona remains one of the states with the heaviest incidents of drug trafficking despite the fact that, the U.S. Department of Justice identified the state as a high intensity drug trafficking area. I was addicted to heroin in the 80s. This is all to keep the dogs off track. A money mule is a person who is involved in transferring money for someone elsemoney that is typically illegal and part of criminal activity. Its really hard to say, and I dont want to talk too much about it. And the other mules you met? [There are fewer] checks in Eastern European airports so its easier that way, and I assume the best way through most security-tight borders is by sea. A high volume of trafficking has been found in other major cities including Atlanta, Detroit, and New York City. Theres a real high to it as well. Then theyd smother the drug package in the coffee mixture, wrap it up with more cling-film and repeat. Danny Santos, 21, says he made $50,000 in four years as a drug mule. A drug mule can make up to tens of thousands of dollars per trip. PODCAST | Bingeing Without Borders (Episode 6): South Africa, Podcast series: click here to find them all, PODCAST | Bingeing Without Borders (Episode 5): Nigeria, PODCAST | The Story: Climate change, tavern deaths and a serial arsonist - a look back at 2022, PODCAST | Bingeing Without Borders (Episode 4): India. How do drug mules typically transport drugs? How much does a drug mule make per second? Just about the worst thing you can do short of setting yourself on fire is to let yourself be talked into being a drug mule, says Susan Erasmus. In 2003, over 50% of foreign female prisoners in UK jails were drug mules from Jamaica. To this day, we don't know whay happened to my boss. The supply and demand trends in the market help us make a more appropriate estimate of a mule's cost. He wants to go to a restaurant and wait for them, but I insist on driving forward without them. Not sure which is worse. No drug mules typically work with others in a drug trafficking organization. 1 lead car, followed by me, a buyer behind me and my bosses in the back. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use, youre not alone. By Jennifer Savin. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has found. 7 Nov 2022. So basically you might want to reconsider going on a quick trip to Indonesia for three days to deliver a hold-all to your friend's brother's cousin outside the Metropole Hotel. Agent 1: What kind of car are you driving, is it here? I walk around aimlessly to see if I was being followed and sure enough I notice a civilian car following me. When Do Mule Deer Drop Their Antlers In Utah. IamA drug mule from Ireland who did 3 years in Colombian prison, when I killed another inmate. One of the ways Congress and state governments use to discourage drug trafficking is by issuing hefty fines. I didn't like to stop except for gas and energy drinks. I knew the Dunne Family and Tony Felloni. One positive about being Clint Eastwood, Oscar-winning director: Make a movie about men in the twilight of . Apart from imprisonment, the biggest danger . The fear of terrorism brought extensive hiring of border patrol agents, and additional walls were built at key crossing points into the U.S. What are some of the risks of being a drug mule? Across the street I notice 2 SUVs parked in a way that if shit went down they were in the position to respond immediately. There were other jobs going, Id get updates on the burner phone, taking heroin, cocaine, MDMA. Drug lords, who commission the mules, can sometimes make 100 times more than that when selling the drugs brought in by the mules. 2022.9.1 (Bell); 2022.9.2 (Bridle) The term "drug mule" typically refers to someone who personally transports illegal drugs. 0 Comments. He tells me to stay put with the car and as soon as he calls me to head over there with the car. I was doing over two grams per day. Being able to provide proof on this was kind of tricky. Leo Sharp was a mule for approximately 10 years. If a drug mule gets caught they can face jail time and a large fine. Their . A drug mule can make a lot of money by making multiple trips. In this report, well share data showing common points of drug entry, arrests, and how the illicit drug trade has impacted the U.S. The risks of being a drug mule include being caught by law enforcement being robbed and being killed. It was nice of them, and I dont think its what wouldve happened in a British or American prison. However, I want to stress that the people I worked for werent living particularly luxurious or sordid lives, they were just doing what they had to do to get by. I didnt see it as a big deal, I was taking so much coke at the time, it was a budgetary godsend really. This makes sense, given it is the busiest land port of entry in the Western Hemisphere. This doesnt mean the Mexico border sees the bulk of the drug trafficking arrests, though. The prisons are beyond horrible. I walk into the lobby and immediately notice a Police Officer and a DEA agent. Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds derived from online scams and frauds or . Caleb Mason, a former federal prosecutor and law professor who . Now this is where the stupid luck comes in. Life is cheap to drug traffickers. Posted by Hoo-yah. Cases were identified through Westlaw to be related to drug mules or drug trafficking charges. The balloons are made with multilayered condoms and are often force fed to the victim. In any case, it can be a dangerous trip made more so with the use of body packing to avoid detection. I was thinking, maybe if I got back in a couple of weeks or a month theyd never know I was gone. You will also have complicated your relationship with your family hugely. . Unfortunately, the weight of heroin and methamphetamine per seizure rose from 2012 to 2016. A World War II veteran was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Wednesday his 90th birthday for working as a Mexican cartel's drug mule. Get 24/7 Text Support For Addiction Questions. Someone you don't even know. He didnt explicitly talk about the drugs, but it was obvious. , and continued drug trafficking into the U.S. has led to a growing number of overdoses among American citizens even children. I guess if anything I was excited because if it went well then I was going go get 3k for 2 days. Eastwood arguably didn't need The Mule to make too much of a profit, considering his net worth sits at around $375 million. I probably shouldve been scared, but I wasnt, because I felt so removed from what I was doing, it was so alien, it just never felt real. Dogs are used because they can smell substances thousand. I remember feeling happy and relieved. The maximum amount a drug mule can make is a couple thousand dollars. I guess I didnt think theyd look inside. Mules are infertile offspring of horses and donkeys that, when tamed, can be ridden and equipped with chests. So If I went down then there goes a huge client. And what you're doing is going to mess up someone's life further down the line. He was a lot like me, he had a drug problem, and hed done a few runs before. Numerous factors determines how much a drug mule can make. We also focused on a specific age where people started using these drugs, 18. I have no idea exactly how exactly. The going rate for a kilogram of cocaine in the United States is $25000. It all seemed way too easy. How much do drug mules make. Rating: 2 out of 5 . Leo Sharp typically charged over $100000 per load of cocaine transported. Was euthanising Sheba the tiger the right decision? wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather in the country to which they are flying, posing as a tourist, but not having any idea about tourist attractions, often travelling for short periods to different countries, not having any idea where you're staying that night, carrying suspiciously large amounts of cash, not eating or drinking anything on the flight. The use and misuse of illicit drugs take a significant toll on our youth and costs the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What is the average amount a drug mule makes? Feeding costs are slashed when an owner has a pasture for a mule to graze on. The whole thing taught me that actions have consequences. I'll be honest, I was living at home, working a minimum wage job, paying too much money a month for a decent car (2014 25k car), I was struggling financially overall. Leo Sharp used over 30 different cars as a mule. Things that alert customs officials include the following: a passenger who appears to be overweight (and who might have strapped drugs onto their bodies); a passenger who is exceptionally nervous; a woman travelling alone, who has little luggage and is not dressed for the expected weather conditions in the country of destination; passengers who carry gifts or parcels for other people. . Exclusive: Clint Eastwood plays a guy 'even older than me' in drug drama 'The Mule'. Was it always marijuana? But, no, I think I needed everything to go wrong. Mules are bred from donkeys and horses, making them strong pack animals that can carry heavy loads. Detox.net is operated by Recovery Brands LLC, a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers, Inc. GENERAL DISCLAIMER: Detox.net is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Metrics Opening Weekend: $17,509,431 (16.9% of total gross) Domestic Share: 59.8% (domestic box office/worldwide) Production Budget: $50,000,000 (worldwide box office is 3.5 times production budget) Theater counts: 2,588 opening theaters/3,329 max. But I was very good at distancing myself from what I was doing. I came back to the UK and started buying cocaine again. was hospitalized after one capsule of cocaine (of more than 100) ruptured in her stomach. If you're unemployed, have kids, are camping in your parents' garage, have an out-of-control drug habit, of course the promise of seemingly easy money can be irresistible. These clients of mine were powerful people who would buy a lot, frequently. Drug mules are typically paid by the people they are smuggling the drugs for. You live in this little cell, about the size of a large bathroom, and youre allowed outside for an hour per day, but outside is just a little cage with an open roofjust big enough for you to pace around. 7 July 2021. The Mule is based on the true story of Leo Sharp, an 87-year-old drug mule and WWII veteran who was arrested by the DEA with five duffel bags of cocaine in 2011. . Take them to the police? I was lucky enought my clients would only speak to me to set up buys. The purchase cost of a mule depends on different factors. Nobody will come forward to help you. telling her she could be paid as much as . I want to say a good 10 hours in, the 2 cars behind me start losing distance between me and the lead car. Drug mules can transport a variety of drugs including cocaine heroin and methamphetamine. a review of the federal court districts and cases tried for drug trafficking show the problem isnt at all isolated to the southern border. Ivelisse Cruz-Alcantara was in possession of more than 3,000 grams of cocaine on Sept. 9, 2020, says Flanagan. Agent 1: Ugh, we're not DEA. A drug mule can make anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per trip. Edit 2: I want to address something a lot of you have been asking. Popularly known as 'drug mules', the victims are made to swallow balloons containing illicit drugs and are then transported across borders. They ended up towing the car. Adj. When a mule passes thru an airport or certain facility dogs trained to sniff out certain drugs are set loose among the passengers and mules may be discovered. The mods will provide a statement, anything outside of that you'll have to take my word for it. and let me go. Answer (1 of 2): THERE ARE A FEW WAYS MULES ARE DETECTED * DRUG DETECTION DOGS. Despite a continued effort among many nations to crack down on drug trafficking, the misuse of, continues at an alarming rate. While the data reviewed isnt specific to just drug trafficking-related deaths, it does paint a picture of the lengths traffickers will go to in order to move drugs across borders. Our attorneys at Monroe & King, P.A. We used PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) to retrieve case documents for 166 individual court cases. There was no moment of oh my god Im crossing the scanner or any of that. Leo Sharp used over 25 different fake IDs as a mule. What are the dangers of being a drug mule? I spent a few days in that house and they fed me well, gave me plenty of cigarettes and all that. that stretch between Mexico and Southern states like California. The women are often from poor communities and are viewed as dispensable by the drug lords. How much did Leo Sharp weigh when he was arrested? Additional data, including information pulled from court documents, show cartels continue to use coastal states as secondary channels for trafficking drugs including marijuana and cocaine. has photos of Sharp and Viejo, one of the senior leaders of the Detroit ring, vacationing together in . Your life is of no importance to them at all. This has led to an increase in the utilization of people as drug mules, which includes the dangerous act of swallowing packages filled with drugs (. Stomach acids can sometimes cause this. They can transport up to several pounds or kilos of drugs at a time. A drug mule can make anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars per trip. Despite a continued effort among many nations to crack down on drug trafficking, the misuse of illicit drugs continues at an alarming rate. This hotel was in the middle of nowhere in a different state so there was nothing to do. I insert my keycard only to find it doesn't work. With many publications on Mule to her name, Caroline has distinguished herself as a fountain of knowledge from which many draw from. Hes there to make sure you dont freak out and tell the police or run off with the drugs. A drug mule could earn as little as $3 000 or less for a trip. Something went wrong, please try again later. Typically a packer or mule will carry about 50-100 of these . If the small balloons used to conceal drugs within the intestines rupture, the consequences could be hazardous including cardiac and respiratory arrest stemming from an overdose of the drug as the body absorbs it. Then there was this guy making thick coffee, hed make the coffee and stir it and add more grounds to the mixture until it was this syrupy paste. This increase in drug use is paralleled by the elevated seizures of illicit drugs along U.S. borders, with heroin seizures nearly tripling since 2009, and the number of meth seizures quintupling through 2014. "The city I live in is extremely corrupt. In 2016, the majority (84.9%) of traffickers were male with an average age of 36. Our research shows that smugglers will conceal drugs within factory-created open spaces, such as in quarter panels, engine firewalls, and the dashboard. The price is usually determined by how often the mule has won competitions, how often it appears in shows, how old it is, and how trained it is. Of these, 38 were female and 107 were male. In 2011, Leo . including dehydration, injury, and other non-trafficking-related incidents. Unfortunately, high heat indexes and a lack of water (or much else) make it a dangerous place to cross. The meeting between my boss and his clients was a setup. I was the middleman between the cartel and clients. Areas with the most opportunity to cross, despite being dangerous, are more frequently used including southeast Texas, California, and Arizona with the highest volume of deaths related to border crossing. But never forget that however grim your life might be, it will be lot worse if you're sharing a small cell with 20 lice-infested people who don't speak your language, if you're starving, filthy, on death row, and have lost all hope. . Here are 10 facts on drug mules: Drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, are often placed in condoms, and are then swallowed by a drug mule in order to evade detection by customs officials. These would contain a total of 800g 1,25kg. theaters, 6.3 weeks average run per theater Infl. However, if trends continue, we may see more of a decline in border-related deaths. How much does a drug mule make in 100 years. This was just an added precaution. When I came back the next day, theyd found the bag (with 12kg of marijuana in there) and that was it. Drug mules typically transport cocaine heroin or methamphetamine. If you believe you have a medical emergency, you should immediately call 911. 3. So basically they were paying me to transport it farther up north. The biggest business, economic and market news of the day, by Fin24 deputy editor, Ahmed Areff. An NCA report said each line will see "multiple" children drawn into drug running, with the youngest reported so far being just 12 years old, while toddlers were found in homes being used by . The drug lords themselves may warn airport authorities about you, in the hope that the guy with the real stash 10 places in the queue behind you might get through, while you've distracted custom officials' attention. The series is created by BBC and produced by Blast Entertainment. Or might not want to know you. . Huge psychological damage. According to the CDC, the U.S. saw a 137% increase in drug overdose-related deaths between 2000 and 2014. A drug mule can make a few hundred dollars by making a single trip. How much was Pablo Escobar worth? What are some of the risks of being a drug mule? At this point it's about 2200 and I'm tired. How many different people did Leo Sharp work for as a mule? I shouldve kept quiet and just left, but there we go. The authors, editors, producers, and contributors shall have no liability, obligation, or responsibility to any person or entity for any loss, damage, or adverse consequences alleged to have happened directly or indirectly as a consequence of material on this website. There are, and trusted professionals who can offer advice and guidance to help you in your fight. Drug mules typically work until they are no longer needed or until they are caught by authorities. The information provided through Detox.net should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Much of the money moved through these third-parties is stolen through Internet-enabled frauds, thefts, and scams. Hey, Reddit! Similarly, economic conditions and the currency value from which you . The cocaine was valued at more than $11 billion and the marijuana was valued at $846 million. The cartels dont always opt for sophisticated stealth, though. We've tried looking for him in jail/prison through online database but to no avail. What is the riskiest part of being a drug mule? Arizona remains one of the states with the heaviest incidents of drug trafficking despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Justice identified the state as a high intensity drug trafficking area in 2010, and strategic developments for intervention have subsequently been implemented. Some of the most common places included drugs being hidden in the gas tank and inside the seats of the vehicle. Its that simple. In 2015, federal auditors seized nearly 35,000 lbs of marijuana from USPS parcels. I was given a five year suspended sentence, which is really lenient by most judicial standards, and released after 150 days in jail on remand. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. What is the average amount of money a drug mule can make? There are drug rehab programs and trusted professionals who can offer advice and guidance to help you in your fight. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. My recruiter called me once and hour to check up on my well being. Prefer texting to talking on the phone? A. Of all cases, 51 had information detailing how drugs were transported. Well Im off drugs now, which is good. Leo Sharp used over 50 different phone numbers as a mule. Under 2ounce is a Class B crime - 180 days in country jail. What happened after you accepted the job? Invest in the future today. If you get a 20-year sentence, that would mean a payment of 32c for every day you spend behind bars. I was essentially just thrown in solitary, because after they took one look at me they mustve known I wouldnt last a day with the really serious criminals. With crackdowns by border patrol and government agencies and efforts being made to lock down borders (such as the proposed border wall between Mexico and the U.S.), those involved in the drug trade continue to explore other, more dangerous methods of smuggling. The science of drug muling. He tells me the 2 back up cars are 4 hours away from us. High Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule is a British true-crime documentary series released on Netflix on 21st October 2022. You're asking why the cartel would allow a mule to explain himself, well that's because I wasn't your average mule. Another 8 hours in I pull over at a gas station and unexpectedly run into the lead car. Harrys now back in the UK, having checked out of the drug world, he says, for good. Journalism strengthens democracy. Fines. That might be your last one. You might be used as a decoy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Edit 1: I will still be answering questions, but at a slower pace. In foreign prisons many things are run on bribes. My best theory as to what happened is this. When looking at the visualized data, the largest number of seizures occurs along the southern U.S. border. Mules cannot breed with other mules. Youve seen it so often in the movies: 80 swallowed, We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred. Again and again. , including migrants attempting to cross who. As reported in Lost Rights: "Nigerian drug lords have employed an army of drug mules, those who will swallow as many as 150 balloons and smuggle drugs into the United States. Of these 51 cases, 36 had information related to the type of vehicle used to transport drugs. Then it was put in one of those X-ray proof bags. Unfortunately, high heat indexes and a lack of water (or much else) make it a dangerous place to cross. The four-part documentary was earlier released on BBC in 2021 and is now available globally on the streaming platform. How many different countries did you take drugs through? Mules are the offspring of horses and donkeys and are closer to (but not quite) the size of a normal horse. Getting addicts the help they need can put a dent into the system that causes so much suffering or at least remove that individual from the deadly chain. The job was to drive from Point A to Point B. If arrested, you're on your own. Mums first reaction was just that she was glad I was alive, she had no idea where Id got to. out of my wallet and tell me to stay put. Based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a 90-year-old man who worked as a drug mule for a Mexican . One key point of consideration is the spike in deaths seen after 2001 relating to the terror attacks on 9/11. But I turned those down because it was too risky. I am a former drug mule for the Mexican drug cartel. In one recent case. The chances of the SA embassy getting involved are slim. 50 to 2000 pounds - 2 to 20 years jail time. However, if trends continue, we may see more of a decline in border-related deaths. Santos smuggled drugs across U.S. border from Juarez, Mexico. When I first thought about doing an AMA I originally wanted to represent myself as a low level boss, but it's difficult providing viable proof for this line of work so I went with the mule instead. Oops! Stupidly I asked the desk if theyd seen it, and they said theyd keep an eye out for it. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the circumstances. Instead of replying to each of you with one small story, I'll share my experiences and what it felt like. [citation needed] In all, around 18% of the UK's female jail population are foreigners, 60% of whom are serving sentences for drug-related offences - most of them drug mules. I had a hunger for money and power, ultimately leading me to find someone who could get me in, a "recruiter" if you will. The total estimate for El Chapo's "gross drug sale proceeds" since early 1990s was less than $12.7 . I remained as calm as possible and started thinking how I'm gonna get out of this one. It was my first offense so thats why it was a light sentence. A drug mule can make anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars per day. A drug mule can make anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars per year. In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. It mustve been a couple of thousand pills, I got about an extra 1,000 for that one. Based on the data, San Ysidro sits at the top of arrest records for drug trafficking. Those packets are: 4x3x2 cm. The DEA puts much of its focus on trafficking from Mexican drug cartels because not only do they control . Drug muling, Popular Science explains, is just putting a twist on something your body does really well, anyway: "Your entire body is designed to help take things from your mouth and pass them out your anus, with some time in between. With many publications on Mule to her name, Caroline has distinguished herself as a fountain of knowledge from which many draw from. They take my I.D. Drug mules typically transport cocaine heroin or methamphetamine. We first meet Stone in 2005 at a mere 75, a dapper figure at a day lily horticulture convention who collects trophies, flirts with the ladies, and buys drinks for the guysa . In The Mule, Clint Eastwood plays Earl Stone, a World War II veteran who becomes a drug courier for the Sinaloa cartel while in his 80s.Remarkably, The Mule is based on the true story of Leo Sharp . Agent starts getting frustrated and his partner gets off the vehicle and immediately makes me put my hands behind my head. . The purchasing price of a mule ranges from under $1,000 to somewhere around $8,000; however, most mules are sold between $1,000 and $3,000. With crackdowns by border patrol and government agencies and efforts being made to lock down borders (such as the proposed border wall between Mexico and the U.S.), those involved in the drug trade continue to explore other, more dangerous methods of smuggling. You eventually do get caught. As a mule I was caught, yes. I mostly operated within the states, but from time to time I would smuggle from Mexico. The D.E.A. Drug mules typically transport drugs from one country to another. In 2015, federal auditors seized, nearly 35,000 lbs of marijuana from USPS parcels, While the data show states along the southern border see the highest volume of drug trafficking-related cases . The minimum amount a drug mule can make is a couple hundred dollars. The majority of seizures, according to records, involve land vehicles at border crossings, with sedans and pickup trucks being the most common. Police department doesn't operate that way. How much does a drug mule make in 10 years? Dom. The stress and the worry and the shame they will go through will be immense. (Susan Erasmus, Health24, updated November 2011), (Sources: bbc.co.uk; wikipedia.org; spaces.icgpartners.com), Play daily crosswords, sudoku, puzzles, and more. What you have to realise about middle-class white mules, sometimes called "clean skins" because we have no criminal record and look innocent, is that we are a real asset for these guys. The drugs are vacuum packed into these bags wrapped with cling film and pressed right down. 7. More than 4 ounces up to 5 pounds - 180 days to 2 years jail time. For example a drug mule could make $100000 for transporting a kilogram of cocaine from Colombia to the United States. Visit Detox.net today for more information. However, the same court documents we researched showed that some smugglers create false or hidden compartments to conceal drugs. But here are more of the things the people recruiting you choose not to tell you. They say they're going to see if I had any warrants. Again, it shouldve felt scarier than it did. Most of the time, probation lasts one year, but it can also be as many as three or more. in 2010, and strategic developments for intervention have subsequently been implemented. It depends on the demand for the drugs and the route taken. Court documents revealed some interesting details about how creative smugglers have become in moving drugs across the border. Agent 2: Look kid, we're investigating a car break in and the suspect fits your profile. , even beyond car accidents and death by firearm. After about 10 minutes they hand me my I.D. The DEA never went after me again after this ordeal. often travelling for short periods to different countries. agents busted him when he picked up $1.96 million in drug money from a warehouse in Wyandotte, Michigan. In some cases drug mules have been killed by the cartels they were working for. You may be able to get a rather cheap . Your family gets punished. Given the timeline of The Mule, it makes sense that the film . You might have huge difficulties settling down to a normal life again. *Names have been changed to protect identity. BO $104,273,335 1 more row While any sort of substance abuse will impact a drug user's life expectancy, some substances have a greater impact than others. to cross borders. To be honest, at that point, I was starting to find the whole thing tremendously exciting. CRIS BOURONCLEGetty Images. However desperate you might be, however tired of camping in your parents' garage, it will all seem like Paradise from the hell-hole of a foreign prison. Drug trafficking and human trafficking are also common sources of the money. You'll be lucky if someone finds your body. Mistaken identity. Unbeknownst to him, the DEA are targeting the cartel, resulting in Earl being the central figure in their investigations. Especially if it is your boyfriend. This really does happen. When a pregnant female drug mule does this, both she and the child can die. The pair were caught with 1.5m of cocaine after becoming drug mules for a cartel. Instead of being the mule, my unofficial job was to recruit mules. Milly Maria, Illustration: Marilyn Sonneveld, Meet the Man Helping Peru's Foreign Drug Mules Get Home, Here's What It Feels Like to Smuggle 700 Grams of Cocaine in Your Stomach. Eventually, one of my friends sounded the alarm to my family that I was missing and they got the police involved. He agrees. A drug mule can make anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars in a lifetime. It is a link that Brazil promised to study in its 2018 plan to combat human trafficking, after introducing tougher penalties for the crime in 2016. Job well done right? It starts with the packaging, which takes all night. This increase in drug use is paralleled by the elevated seizures of illicit drugs along U.S. borders, with heroin seizures nearly tripling since 2009, and the number of meth seizures quintupling through 2014. The mode of transportation can also affect earnings. Q: What happened the first time you got caught by the DEA and how did you walk away? Drug mules who are caught can face lengthy prison sentences. According to the U.S. Border Patrol, over 811 individual seizures (4 tons) of methamphetamine were seized through the southern border in 2016 alone, comprising 95 percent of all national methamphetamine border seizures. I'd give her money to help her out and because of me she was able to put a down payment on a car. Although I really hurt my friends and family, and that upsets me. Except nastier. A. He had been on disability and had four heart attacks. Before considering doing a drug run, do weigh up the staggering consequences if you get caught. 1 hour later I still don't recieve a call so I decide to head over to the restaurant downstairs and grab a bite. A drug mule can make anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars per minute. With many publications on Mule to her name, Caroline has distinguished herself as a fountain of knowledge from which many draw from. This forced immigrants into more remote locations of the desert, putting them in a position to succumb to heat and other elements, thus increasing border-related deaths a great deal in subsequent years. 2 to 4 ounces - 1-year jail time. However its unclear how much of that money he actually kept as he was working for a cartel and likely had to give a large portion of his earnings to his bosses. Kennedy airport in New York, 145 drug mules were intercepted. That was another part of the whole paradigm. The data were gathered from over 150 court cases related to drug mules or drug trafficking charges. Going head to head with the FEDs is not something I want to do again, it was safer this way. I went to meet him in the village where he now lives with his family to ask him about his strange adventure as a "clean skin" drug mule. His childhood was spent building dens in the woods. The DEA agent was wearing a kevlar vest with DEA in gold on the back of it. The cost of hay is around $20 per bale. A two-part BBC documentary series High: The Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule was released in July 2021 retold the story of her memoirs - how a teen from Northern Ireland came to be involved in . Another drug mule for the Sinaloa cartel was a 57-year-old man from Oklahoma named Walter Ogden. For example a drug mule could make $100000 for transporting a kilogram of cocaine from Colombia to the United States. . Entrapment. People attempt to cross the border from Mexico for a number of reasons with the vast majority seeking asylum, though some are involved (voluntarily or through coercion) in the trafficking of drugs. Nigerian women make a large contribution to the remaining figure. [5] I was an active drug smuggler for a period of 6 months. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed. He was worth a fortune to El Chapo 's Mexican drug cartel; he sent more than $2 . In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. How many different bank accounts did Leo Sharp have as a mule? to cross borders. Mr. Day Lily. This data is unsettling given the dangers of illicit drug use, especially the harmful nature of heroin and meth. I take a bus back home and nobody knows what to think of it. In any case, it's crucial that you work with an experienced defense attorney to fight your charges. What are the consequences of being caught as a drug mule? You will have no recourse at all to the prison authorities. The Rio Grande Valley is a popular crossing point for immigrants given the expansive land that makes it difficult for border agents to patrol. He gives me a new keycard and I leave. The Mule has represents a nice bounce back for the actor-director following his last directorial effort, 2018's The 15:17 to Paris, which made $57.1 million worldwide and could be considered a bit . Drug mules can make anywhere from $5000 to $10000 per trip according to numerous online sources. Harry* is not the kind of person who springs to mind when you picture a drug mule. The money's not that great. The majority of drug mules are male but the number of women doing this is on the increase. A drug mule is someone who smuggles drugs on their person or in their luggage across borders. Sharp carted between 450 and 550 pounds of cocaine into his home state of Michigan each month. I go with my gut feeling and ditch going inside the room. Whether this is a lot or a little is a matter of opinion. Their desperate need for cash could cost them their health and their lives, or they could land in jail. Cartels have even used unaccompanied children as well as clone vehicles to distract and mislead border patrol to get larger shipments of drugs smuggled across the border. A high volume of trafficking has been found in other major cities including Atlanta, Detroit, and New York City. I met another young guy who was running drugs, he was 23 from Scotland. How much drugs do drug mules typically transport? Forget privileges like phone calls or visits. The Mule is a 2018 American crime drama film starring and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also produced with Dan Friedkin, Jessica Meier, Tim Moore, Kristina Rivera, and Bradley Thomas.The screenplay was written by Nick Schenk, and based on the 2014 The New York Times article "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule" by Sam Dolnick, which recounts the story of Leo Sharp, a World War II . If it does get commuted, it's to something like a hundred years behind bars. It doesn't quite make the list of Clint Eastwood's best movies according to Rotten Tomatoes, but neither does it make his worst. Occasionally Id have a cell mate, but they were fine, just kept themselves to themselves. attempting to enter the country illegally. Leo Sharp was hauling 104 bricks of . Financial analysis of The Mule (2018) including budget, domestic and international box office gross, DVD and Blu-ray sales reports, total earnings and profitability. After one capsule of cocaine in the UK, having checked out of one. ; King, P.A the busiest land port of entry in the UK and started cocaine. 84.9 % ) of traffickers were male with an average age of 36 car! Parked in a world where facts and fiction get blurred 10 hours in the. Terror attacks on 9/11 4 ounces up to tens of thousands of Americans behind. In Colombian prison how much does a drug mule make when I came to Colombia in 1986 to haul cocaine back to.... Detroit ring, vacationing together in for intervention have subsequently been implemented goes! Marijuana from USPS parcels month theyd never know I was how much does a drug mule make enought my would... Caleb Mason, a 90-year-old man who worked as a mule & # x27 ; cost... 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