Police say woman hid cocaine in body cavity
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A 22-year-old Belle Vernon woman was arrested last week while crossing from Mexico into California after a drug detection dog recognized the smell of cocaine in an unusual spot, authorities said.
Samantha Rose Kurdilla is in federal custody on charges stemming from her alleged attempt to smuggle cocaine in her vagina when she crossed the border from Tijuana to California Jan. 15.
According to a Jan. 18 probable cause statement, Kurdilla twice denied that she was bringing anything with her from Mexico, but, when questioned a third time, she confessed to having 100 grams of cocaine in a condom in her vagina.
Kurdilla, along with her travel partner, James Perry, were slated to appear Wednesday in U.S. District Court in San Diego.
Kurdilla and Perry were entering the U.S. at the San Ysidro port of entry pedestrian crossing facility when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection drug detection dog “alerted to a narcotic odor” emanating from the woman’s groin area, the statement indicates.
Authorities said Perry denied being with Kurdilla, although the two were seen walking arm-in-arm. Both were detained for further questioning.
Twice Kurdilla denied bringing anything from Mexico. She told a CBP officer she was going to the Best Western hotel in San Diego, and that she had been partying with Perry in Tijuana for a few hours.
The statement indicates that Kurdilla was avoiding eye contact with the officer and that she appeared to be under the influence. Perry said they had been smoking marijuana.
Kurdilla then reportedly confessed to smuggling the drugs into the U.S. in exchange for compensation. She said drugs were provided to her by and belonged to Perry, according to court documents.
Perry reportedly told authorities he bought the drugs in Tijuana to sell in the U.S. and he instructed Kurdilla where to hide them.
While walking back to the U.S., Kurdilla sent a text message that read, “I’m smuggling cocaine and heroin in my coochie,” the police statement reads.
Kurdilla is a former employee of The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Meadows spokesman Tom Meinert said she hasn’t worked there since September 2011.