body-packer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical/legal/law enforcement
Quick answer
What does “body-packer” mean?
A person who swallows wrapped packages of illegal drugs to transport them secretly across borders.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who swallows wrapped packages of illegal drugs to transport them secretly across borders.
A smuggler who conceals illicit substances internally to avoid detection by authorities. The term can also refer to the act or method of such smuggling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Identical in meaning and usage. 'Body-packer' is the standard term in both legal and law enforcement lexicons on both sides of the Atlantic. 'Mule' is a more general, colloquial synonym used in both varieties.
Connotations
Associated with criminality, significant health risk, and specific police/medical procedures (e.g., 'body-packer syndrome').
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, confined to specialist reports and news coverage of drug trafficking.
Grammar
How to Use “body-packer” in a Sentence
[authorities] arrested/intercepted/detained a body-packer[doctors] treated a body-packer for [condition][The] body-packer was carrying [substance]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body-packer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was accused of body-packing cocaine from the Caribbean.
American English
- The suspects were involved in body-packing heroin.
adverb
British English
- [Not standardly used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not standardly used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The body-packing operation was sophisticated and dangerous.
American English
- Authorities are concerned about body-packing trends.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in criminology, forensic medicine, and law journals.
Everyday
Extremely rare; might appear in sensational news headlines.
Technical
Standard term in law enforcement, border control, and emergency medicine reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body-packer”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body-packer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body-packer”
- Confusing with 'backpacker'. Using in non-criminal contexts. Spelling as 'bodypacker' or 'body packer' (though the hyphenated form is most standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'body-packer' is a specific type of drug mule who internally conceals the drugs. A 'mule' is a broader term that can also refer to someone who hides drugs in luggage or on their person.
It is dangerous because if a package breaks open inside the body, it can cause a massive, often fatal, overdose. It can also cause intestinal blockages.
Yes, it is a standard term used in legal indictments, police reports, and medical literature related to drug trafficking.
Yes, though less common than the noun. 'To body-pack' means to engage in this specific method of smuggling.
A person who swallows wrapped packages of illegal drugs to transport them secretly across borders.
Body-packer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi ˌpækə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi ˌpækər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms. The term itself is technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person trying to pack their BODY with illegal goods to get them past security.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A CONTAINER (for illicit cargo).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'body-packer'?