Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NY Woman Who Wore 'Cocaine Diapers' Gets 2 Years In Prison
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 10, 2013
Modified Dec 10, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Courtesy U. S. Customs & Border Protection
View all 3
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 10, 2013
Modified Dec 10, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Earlier this year, two women were arrested at JFK Airport when U.S. Customs officials found that they were wearing "cocaine diapers" fashioned out of duct tape—and carrying 6.5 kilos of cocaine. Now one of them has just been sentenced for the crime of fashion.
Michelle Blassingale, 36, will serve two years in prison for taking the fateful flight from the Dominican Republic. Officials had noticed Priscilla Pena and Blassingale, who was promised $9,000 to smuggle in the drugs, because they were walking with an "awkward gait." A pat-down then revealed a "hard object" in the pants—the DIY drug girdles—and Blassingale then admitted a man in the D.R. had given her a package to take back to NYC.
The value of the drugs in Blassingale's diaper is around $85,000. Pena will be sentenced later.
Tagged
cocaine
cocaine diapers
dominican republic
drugs
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 2:57 p.m. ET
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
Victor Romero, who retired from the police department in 2001
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
Victor Romero, who retired from the police department in 2001
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
By
Arya Sundaram
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .