The harmful effects of drinking soda have been widely told by health experts around the country, and this latest arrest does nothing to lessen the specter: The American Fork police recently discovered a can of soda filled with drugs.

The can, which was filled with 16 balloons of heroin, was found on a drug dealer last Friday after he was busted for shoplifting in American Fork, the latest example of one of the most popular ways to transport and conceal drugs, especially heroin, as the black tar that makes up the drug doesn’t stick to the inside of balloons. Dealers simply drop the dope in, tie up the top and they have a bag ready to sell. Balloons have long been concealed in various body cavities, according to reports. 

After Beau Carter, a 32-year-old white male, was apprehended by the loss-prevention representatives of Walmart in American Fork, he was quietly escorted to the store’s security office. The representatives found a bundle of meth and two smaller bundles of cocaine. The unopened can of soda, a fake filled with 16 balloons of heroin, was discovered last.

An American Fork police officer, after searching the suspect, found a syringe in Mr. Carter’s jacket. The latter couldn’t remember if he had used it that day to shoot up meth or whether it was an old one, the report says. Mr. Carter was arrested on possession of drugs and intent to distribute, his second arrest for such charge in eight months.

Mr. Carter was stopped after he had removed an electronic item from its packaging, concealed it inside his clothing and attempted to leave Walmart without paying. He was also charged with retail theft.

Danny Crivello can be reached at crivello@citizen.af, via text at 801-477-6397 or on Twitter.

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