Drug runners use sheep and goats as 'mules' in Iran

TEHRAN - Question: How do you turn a goat into a mule? Answer: Make it swallow several kilos of narcotics.

Police in southeastern Iran on Sunday found 38 kg of opium hidden in the stomach of nine sheep and goats, Iran's official IRNA news agency said.

The animals had apparently been forced to swallow the narcotics by drug traffickers bringing the product over from neighbouring Afghanistan en route to western Europe.

Drug smugglers who swallow packets of cocaine or heroin in an attempt to avoid detection are often referred to as drug "mules".

- REUTERS