Introduction
Guitar cases are not only used for carrying musical instruments; they have also been used for smuggling illegal items. Throughout history, guitar cases have been a popular choice for smuggling a variety of items. From drugs to documents, smugglers have used guitar cases to transport items illegally. In this post, we will explore some of the most interesting and infamous cases of smuggling through guitar cases.
1. The CIA and the Bay of Pigs Invasion
In 1961, the United States tried to invade Cuba in what is known as the Bay of Pigs invasion. The CIA had a plan to supply the Cuban rebels with weapons by using guitar cases. The idea was to make it appear as if the Americans were musicians visiting Cuba. However, this plan failed as the Cubans caught wind of the plan and stopped the shipment.
2. Edward Snowden
Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked classified information, fled the United States with a laptop containing sensitive information. According to reports, he carried the laptop in a guitar case while on his way to Hong Kong. Snowden’s move was a calculated one as he knew that the Hong Kong authorities would not extradite him to the United States.
3. Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel
Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel used guitar cases to transport their cocaine shipments from South America to the United States. The guitar cases were used because they looked innocent and would not raise suspicion. The cartel would play music when crossing the border to appear as a band on tour.
4. The Beatles
In the early 1960s, when The Beatles were first touring America, they used guitar cases to carry their cash earnings. This was a common practice at the time, as cash was cumbersome to carry around in large quantities. The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, would carry the cash in a guitar case to avoid theft.
5. Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson was arrested in 2010 for possession of six ounces of marijuana while travelling through the border. However, instead of carrying the marijuana in a regular bag, he had it in a custom-made guitar case. The case was designed to look like one of Nelson’s famous guitars, but it was filled with marijuana instead of musical instruments.
6. Guns N’ Roses
In 1991, during their Use Your Illusion tour, Guns N’ Roses used guitar cases to transport their guns. The band had a permit to carry concealed weapons, but they did not want to attract attention while crossing the border. Therefore, their security team carried the guns in guitar cases to avoid any suspicion.
7. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash, the legendary country singer, used guitar cases to smuggle drugs into prisons. In the 1960s, Cash had a friend who was serving time in prison for drug-related offences. Cash would visit him frequently, and on one of those visits, he smuggled a large quantity of amphetamines into the prison using a guitar case.
8. The KGB
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union used guitar cases to smuggle their spies across the Berlin Wall. The guitar cases had a hidden compartment where a person could hide, and the case would be carried across the wall. The KGB is said to have used this method numerous times, and it was one of their most successful methods of smuggling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, guitar cases have been used to smuggle items for various reasons. From drugs to espionage equipment, guitar cases have been a popular choice for smugglers. The cases are convenient, and they do not raise suspicion. However, as we have seen from the examples above, smugglers do get caught, and their plans fail. It is, therefore, important to weigh the risks and rewards before using guitar cases for smuggled items.
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