Authorities have shut down a drug trafficking operation where suspects were usingPokemonboxes. In the past, thieves havestolen millions of dollars worth ofPokemoncardsfrom hobby stores and homes. The recent drug trafficking operation seemed to have taken it to the next level.Pokemonhas established itself as an iconic franchise that includes video game titles and TV shows. It’s come out with various merchandise, from trading cards toadorable Squishmallow stuffed toys, that many fans all over the world have collected. Rare items that could sell for a high value are often targets of robberies.RELATED:Pokemon Fan Imagines Fuecoco as a Futuristic RobotMeanwhile, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, cops recently busted a drug trafficking operation that usedPokemonart cases to ship cocaine sourced from Puerto Rico. United States Postal Service inspectors and New Bedford detectives were alerted of five suspicious packages being delivered to an apartment on Viall Street in the last two months, prompting them to track the delivery of another package on May 8. After an undercover postal inspector delivered the mail to the address, authorities were able to identify and arrest 20-year-old Darren Casado Ruiz and 19-year-old Angel Rodriguez. Cops later opened the package and found two yellow heat-sealed plasticPokemoncases containing two kilograms of cocaine.
According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the two suspects were charged with conspiracy to violate the drug law and trafficking in excess of 200 grams of cocaine. District Attorney Tom Quinn commended the investigators for their “cooperative effort” in cracking down on the drug trafficking operation and seizing the cocaine-filled package.
This wasn’t the first timePokemonwas mentioned in a drug-related case. In 2019, aFlorida man playingPokemon GOat 2 am was arrestedafter cops found drugs in his car. Another incident that happened last year involved a man carryingPokemon GOand KFC-themed drugs in his car, which seemed like he tried using the game’s popularity to conceal the crime.
Pokemonin the real world is much more wholesome though as many fans would happily share the Pokemon they caught in games, especially the rare ones, and their merch hauls. It’s also become the theme of family-friendly tourist destinations in various countries, and even aLas Vegas neighborhood’s street names. Of course, the games' developers have also seen their fair share of criticism for quality and performance issues, but it hasn’t seemed to hinder many people from supporting the franchise.
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Source:ABC 6
