Melisa and Frank Vila, American citizens of Mexican origin, decide to bring cocaine into their country, so that Frank can afford to pay for the gender reassignment surgery he desires. Once at the airport they are detained, and while being questioned, one of the capsules ruptures inside Melisa's stomach and she requires immediate attention. This arouses the ambition of some corrupt officials who couldn't care less about the health of the young woman, so they decide she should undergo surgery at the airport infirmary, even though they lack the equipment and the qualified personnel.