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DEA Stash and Hideout Handbook

Copyright © 1988 by Paladin Press

ISBN 10: 0-87364-469-7ISBN 13: 978-0-87364-469-3

Printed in the United States of America

Published by Paladin Press, a division ofPaladin Enterprises, Inc.,Gunbarrel Tech Center7077 Winchester CircleBoulder, Colorado 8030 I USA+ 1.303.443.7250

Direct inquiries and/or orders to the above address.

PALADIN, PALADIN PRESS, and the "horse head" designare trademarks belonging to Paladin Enterprises andregistered in United States Patent and Trademark Office.

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, noportion of this book may be reproduced in any formwithout the express written permission of the publisher.

Neither the author nor the publisher assumesany responsibility for the use or misuse ofinformation contained in this book.

Illustrations by Bill Border

Visit our Web site at www.paladin-press.com

CONTENTS

Concealment in the Home 5

Concealment in an Automobile 21

Concealment on a Motorcycle .................. 27

Concealment on the Person 29

v

WARNING

The publisher and distributors of this book do not advocateany illegal activity. The information is presented/or academ-ic study only.

The DEA Stash and Hideout Handbook was ob-tained via covert means from the U.S. Drug Enforce-ment Administration. This information has been clas-sified "Top Secret -- Eyes Only" for DEA officers, andis information the DEA uses.

This is the actual list used in seminars conducted totrain narcotics officers in search and seizure of drugsand contraband items. These seminars instruct manymilitary, state, local, and foreign narcotics officers. Theplaces listed here are not checked in every search, norare these the only places searched.

Now you have the information that will help youither find someone else's stash or put your own where

no one, not even many highly trained law-enforcementofficers, will be able to find it!

We've all wondered from time to time, "WhereWI iuld be a good, safe place to put my extra cash, myrrusty firearm, or a valuable painting where no one willver find it but me?" Wonder no longer. This list, used

wlsely, will put that valuable item beyond the reach of

1

any save yourself.The purpose of this list is to provide an insight into

the mind of the searcher and to show the futility of hid-ing contraband under the socks in your dresser drawer.You know that putting cash in a vase on the diningroom table or under the mattress of your bed is justplain crazy, and that hiding it under your pillow is notvery wise either -- but where is a good place?

Consider the locations in your house that wouldmost likely elude searching officers, K-9s, or criminals.From abandoned plumbing, under floor drains, andwithin tea bags to above acoustical tiles, behind walland ceiling light fixtures, and inside shower nozzleheads.

Your car, motorcycle, and even your own body con-tain hundreds of unlikely hiding places, from the tinyspaces in jewelry, to the somewhat larger and muchmore private bodily cavities.

Although all these places are known to law enforce-ment agencies, many of them would serve quite well inmost police searches. There are several trick stash con-tainers on the market today, such as phony soft drinkcans. This type of thing can prove very useful, and willfool all but the most determined of police.

But don't try to get these hide-outs past U.S. Cus-toms officials -- they've seen them all!

2

INSIDE HOLLOW DOORS (REMOVABLE TOPS)

VELCRO OR MAGNETS

\~

~

4

DRUG CONCEALMENT IN THE HOME

Under or in the mailboxIn flower pots and window boxesInside hollow doors (removable tops)Inside door chimes and door bellBehind plumbing inspection doorsIn doorknobsUnder or in dog collarsHanging out windowsIn rolled-up window shadesOn or under window ledge next door

n top of window, door sills, moldingsIn fire and water hosesIn or on cellar beamsraped to movable clothesline

hind exterior brick near window.fuse boxes

n conduit from fuse boxlnllide fire alarm bellIn doll. houses

5

IN TELEPHONE BASE AND HANDLE

,~

\~\\ \

\ -

6

In-rain gutters and drain spoutsInside abandoned plumbingIn attic insulationInside or under furnaceIn hollowed-out treeWithin fuel of oil heatersUnder lip ring of plastic trash cansUnder tile steps of backyardUnder fence post topsInside rabbit hutchIn pay telephone coin returnIn telephone base and handleBehind wall phonesUnder telephone name plateIn clothesline pipeRefrigerator:

Inside fruit containersn eggs

Inside mayonnaiseUnder foodTaped under doorInside motor compartmentLSD on food items

lnside garbage disposal unit•••••..• lectric baseboard heaters

string mopironing board coverttorn of dog food bagm half of double boiler

7

BEHIND WALL AND CEILING LIGHT FIXTURES

FALSE SIDE WITHTAPED HINGES

-------

~

8

In ironing board legsUnder toaster trayInside plastic rolling pinInside knife handlesIn clockIn hot-air ductsIn stove pipesIn garbage bagsIn bromo seltzer, cough syrup, prescription drug bottlesIn baked bread, cookies, brownies, and candy barsBuilt inside room dividersBehind kick plates of sink cabinetsIn stove insulation, exhausts, and drip pansWithin tea bagsAbove acoustic tile ceilingsInside tinfoil tubeInside paper towel tubeIn salt and pepper shakersIn waxed-paper dispensersIn spice jarsIn all kitchen canisters and containers

bollowed fruits and vegetablesIn or on chandelierWithin agitator of clothes washer

ihUld. or above Venetian blinds~bNscent light tubes

hind wall and ceiling light fixtureside light housing

d light switches

9

INSIDE TOILET BOWL FLOAT

_ -<! ml~""""'W.'"

10

Behind lig.!!!.switchesInside or behind electric socketsIn removable air-conditioning registersIn range hood and filterInside deep well fryersBehind baseboardsInside flashlightsInside douche bagsWithin sanitary napkins and in boxIn razor blade dispenserIn hollowed-out flashlight batteriesInside talcum powder, cold cream, and Vaseline

containersn electric toothbrush holder,In toothpaste tubes

clothes hamperung behind curtainj

Inside false ceilings and chimneysrn or behind sink trapsIn bases oflampsUnder 'washbowl, sink, or tub

bottom of pet litter boxhollow curtain rods, shower curtain rods, andin closet rods

ncer false bottom on radiator coversilet tanks

wI float'toilet bowl

••••••• JIG&olcans

11

WITHIN HOLLOW SOAP BARS

SMOOTH OVER CUT LINEWITH MOIST KNIFE BLADE

12

In Bandaids and Bandaid boxesInside stickdeodorant containersWithin hollow soap barsUnder panel or parquet floorsInside toilet paper rollIn clothes-pin bagInside' hollow handle of toilet bowl brushIn after shave, cologne, or cosmetic bottlesBehind and inside medicine cabinetsInside shaving brush handlesIn hair dryerIn shower nozzle headIn razor blade disposal boxIn or behind legs of old-style bath tub

loset clothing:In waistbandsIn pensIn sleevesIn hatbandsIn shoesIn gloves

Behind picture frames, posters, and mirrorsIn mattresses and box spring framesInside pillows•••• carpetsIn Reams of field cots and hollow cap of cot legsnslde hassocksnslde and under wigs

hind walls

WITHIN HOLLOW SOAP BARS

SMOOTH OVER CUT LINEWITH MOIST KNIFE BLADE

12

In Bandaids and Bandaid boxesInside stickdeodorant containersWithin hollow soap barsUnder panel or parquet floorsInside toilet paper rollIn clothes-pin bagInside' hollow handle of toilet bowl brushIn after shave, cologne, or cosmetic bottlesBehind and inside medicine cabinetsInside shaving brush handlesIn hair dryerIn shower nozzle headIn razor blade disposal boxIn or behind legs of old-style bath tub

loset clothing:In waistbandsIn pensIn sleevesIn hatbandsIn shoesIn gloves

Behind picture frames, posters, and mirrorsIn mattresses and box spring framesInside pillows•••• carpetsIn Reams of field cots and hollow cap of cot legsnslde hassocksnslde and under wigs

hind walls

BIBLE (HOLLOW COVER) ANDOTHER BOOKS (HOLLOW PAGES)

In hollow bedpostsIn furniture upholsteryIn golf bagsIn toys, stuffed animals, and gamesInside child's bankTaped in dresser and behind drawersInside concealed magnet boxesInside zippered cushionsInside pipe rack standIn false-bottomed baby carriage and cribsIn footlockersIn hem of drapes and curtainsIn hidden drawers in tablesInside lettersIn dollsIn art kitsHoly Bible (hollow cover) and other books (hollow

pages)Inside jewelry boxesMixed with tobaccoTaped to hat or shoe boxesLSD on or in blotterInside tube and barrel of air rifleIn bird cageIn typewriters and typewriter covers

Ide hollow chess players and boardshollow canes and umbrellasplace ash clean-out binps on graph paper

14 15

INSIDE STAIRWAY POSTS

THREADED SECTION-UNSCREW FOR ACCESS

REMOVABLE TOP-THREADEDOR FRICTION PLUG

TO HOLD IN PLACE

16

Inside base of rabbit antennaInside TV setInside TV antennaInside altered picture tube or other componentsWithin hollowed-out pad of paperIn surf boards, skis and other sports equipmentInside Christmas tree decorationsInside handle of vacuum cleanersInside and behind vacuum cleaner bagIn tool boxIn shoe polish container and equipmentIn 35 mm film cansInside camerasIn record albumsIn fish tanksInside patch trap of antique rifleInside rifle cartridges and shotgun shellsBehind rifle butt platesInside carpenter's toolboxInside candlestick holdersInside ceramic and clay figurinesInside rolled-up newspaperInside trophiesIn floor drainsIn test tubesInside crucifixInside sealed and opened cigarette packagesInside stairway postsInside transistor radio

17

IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND CASE

HOLLOWED OUT SPACEIN BACK OF FINGERBOARD

FIT WOODEN PLUG TO COVER

I.'.>:

PLUG TO CLOSEDRILLED OUTHA~,

HOLLOWED OUT HANDLECOVERED WITH TAPE

18

!]".: r.

I

",

Inside speakersInside other stereo componentsIn musical instruments and cases

19

CONCEALMENT IN AN AUTOMOBILE:

[

PLUGS I ..·B

~IB

E

A D C

A. IN AIR FILTER

B. IN FALSE HEATER HOSE

C. IN WINDSHIELD WASHER BAGD. INSIDE OIL CAP

E. IN HOLLOW VOLTAGE REGULATOR

20

CONCEALMENT IN AN AUTOMOBILE

Inside hornIn air fil terIn false heater hoseIn heaterIn false batteryIn oil filterIn windshield washer bagIn carburetorInside oil capIn false dual mufflerIn hollow voltage regulatorOn top of gas tank (suspended or concealed in

compartment)In 35 mm film canslJnder rocker panelsTied to axleUnderside of fenderIn tail pipeIn insulation under hood

21

BEHIND HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS

~

~

22

Under chromeBehind Volkswagen battery boxInside trunk lidsInside tubing on roof racksInside tubing on surfboard or ski rackUnder tire air valve capsTaped behind bumperIn antenna baseTaped to rolled-down windowBehind license platesAttached to frame of carBehind headlights and taillightsWithin hub capsIn picnic jug in trunkIn double roof of surplus police carsWithin spare tire and tire wellIn convertible topIn trunkn fuse box

Under false bottom of trunk bedsIn cigarette lighterUnder floorboardsUnder front seatlJnder back seatWithin vents (air and heater)In glove compartment -- top of compartment or trapWithin door

hind radio speaker grillJIaIM"t knob'

23

BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL ANDORNAMENTAL OBJECTS ON DASHBOARD

WITHIN ARM RESTS

24

In steering columnIn dome lightIn and under ashtraysInside key caseIn service station travel kitsUnder brake and gas pedalsIn or behind sun visorsUnder carpetBehind or within false radioInside a hide-a-key containerPill vialsUnder floor matsWithin upholsteryBehind instrumental panelUnder ornamental objects on dashboardWithin compartments under floor of older VWs and

JeepsInside floor consolesInside dash knobsWithin arm restsInside flashlightInside toolboxInside light sockets

2S

MOTORCYCLES:

·E

A. INSIDE HANDLEBAR TUBING

B. COMPARTMENT IN CUSTOM GAS TANKC. BEHIND HEADUGHT

D. BEHIND INSTRUMENT GAUGESE. INSIDE TIRES

26

CONCEALMENT ON A MOTORCYCLE

Behind taillightsUnder seatsInside handlebar tubingInside battery boxIn toolboxRolled up inside sleeping bag or other carried itemsConcealed compartment in custom gas tankInside lining of motorcycle helmetIn concealed pockets in padded clothing

ehind headlightBehind instrument gaugesnside tires

27

CONCEALMENT ON PERSON

EARRINGS WITH THREADEDGEMSTONE PLUGS

RING WITHTHREADEDSETTING•

EYEGLASSES WITH HOLLOW STEMS-OPENS ON DECORATIVE SEAM

28

CONCEALMENT ON THE PERSON

Inside false caps on teethSwallowed with string tied to teethUnder false teethLoose in mouthBehind or in earsIn glass eyesIn noseTaped under breastsIn brassiereUnder Bandaids and bandagesWithin rectumWithin vaginaBetween cheeks of buttocksUnder foreskin of penisInside feces bagIn false leg, arm, foot, etc ..In or behind womens' hair barrettesUnder processed hair, hair buns, or wigsIn hearing aids mounted on eyeglasses or within earsIn earrings

29

IN HOLLOW END OF CANE OR UMBRELLA

HOLLOW HANDLES AND TIPS-THREADED FOR OPENING

DOCUMENT ROLLED INSIDE

SEWED INTOCARRYING STRAP

30

In ringsInside neck and wrist lockets, bracelets, and charmsInside ID braceletsIn plaster or plastic casts

Under hatbandsIn hatsUnder military cap insigniaUnder lapel and shoulder patchesBehind campaign ribbons and uniform brassHashish in love beadsInfount~nsIn money belts, slit or zipperedIn tie pins, clasps, and cuff linksIn lining of clothingWithin false buttonsUnder lapels of jacket and coatsInside back of watchIn pocketsIn eyeg~ass caseIn corsetsIn tie knot of tie and handkerchiefsJockstrapsWalletIn hollow belt bucklesInside fly flap of trousersPinned to shortsIn swimming trunksIn male or female girdle

31

CONCEALMENT ON THE PERSON:

A. IN PLASTER CASTB. IN NON-SUPPORTING SECTION OF CRUTCH

C. IN ARM PAD OF CRUTCH (TAPED OVER)

D. IN HAT

E.INBUTION

F. IN CUFF

32

Inside cuffs and waistbandsIn socks and shoesIn baby's diapersIn lipsti~~ tubeIn tobacco tins and pouchesIn cigarette packageIn cigarette lightersInside hollowed-out crutchesIn hollow end of cane or umbrellaInside feces bagIn Thermos jug cavity or liningIn canteensIn addressed envelopesWithin liners of luggage

33

The OEA Stash and Hideout Handbook wasobtained via covert means from the U.S. DrugEnforcement Administration. This information hasbeen classified "Top Secret - Eyes Only" for DEAofficers, and is information the DEA actually useson its raids. This list is also used in seminarsconducted to train narcotics officers in searchand seizure of drugs and contraband items.Although many of the locations in this book areused by drug dealers to hide their wares, youmay have extra cash, rare coins, stocks and ,bonds, or other valuables that you may want outof reach to all but yourself.

The purpose of this list is to provide an insightinto the mind of the searcher and to show thefutility of hiding your prized possessions underthe socks in your dresser drawer. Your house,your car or motorcycle, and even your own bodyprovide hundreds of ingeniously cleaver locationsto stash items both large and small. Abandonedplumbing, your car axle, and even your more pri-vate body cavities are just a sampling of the pos-sibilities open to you and revealed in this book.

A PALADIN PRESS BOOKwww.paladin-press.com

ISBN 978·0·87364·469·390000

9 "78013 73"6446 en