Body Packers or Drug Mules, as they are often referred to, represent a method of drug trafficking that has gained popularity since the 1970's. It appears to be most popular as a method of transporting powder drugs such as Cocaine and Heroin; as it is a surreptitious method of couriering, there is little mystery as to why the method was developed. This review aims to decipher why there is the necessity for this dangerous and flawed method of trafficking, focusing on cocaine in particular. The paper will review the evolution of cocaine body packing, how legislation and the cartels worked together to force the development of drug mules, and the effect this method of trafficking has on the individuals who become the packers, or 'mules'. A thorough understanding of the development and risks associated with this most dangerous practice, may contribute to the efforts to eradicate this method of cocaine trafficking.Keywords: Cocaine; Trafficking; Body packing; Forced development packaging rupture (which can lead to drug toxicity) ' [4], common with Cocaine body packers. This potential outcome requires customs, and hospitals surrounding both the target airport and the departure airport (for those who decide not to carry the packages); to have procedures in place to deal with drug mules who may already be suffering from the aforementioned condition. In such cases immediate action must be taken to retrieve the packages without damage to the carrier, and deliver them to the authorities. But why are these procedures necessary?A fairly recent development in trafficking, cases of cocaine body packing were first discovered around 1975 [1]. But why has this technique been developed? Cocaine is a Class A substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971 [8]. Under the same act, section three states that "the importation of a controlled drug… is hereby prohibited [9]." Illicit suppliers have been present, in varying degrees, since the introduction of Cocaine to the UK. Once taken out of common place medicines and libations, Cocaine could solely be procured via prescription. It was initially the General Practitioners (GPs) and Psychiatrists of Great Britain that supplied cocaine to the public, after Cocaine was placed on the schedule of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act 1908 [10]. There was flagrant abuse of this system and it is said the "the credit for reintroducing cocaine to the British system must go to a Nigerian addict… in 1954 [10]". 'This man and two others persuaded a GP to stock cocaine for prescription. The Nigerian addict and two others took large prescriptions of the drug and were suspected to have distributed the drug to others [10].' Increased restrictions thereafter were created so that only "specially licensed doctors" [10] could prescribe cocaine. This change coincides with the spike in illicit cocaine trafficking, distribution and supply during the 1970's, a prime example of the evolution of drug trafficking. Much like a hydra in Greek mythology, cutting off one head causes two more to grow, and drug traffic...