Key Takeaways
- Pokemon TCG shop in Hong Kong uncovered $1.3 million worth of methamphetamine, shocking fans worldwide.
- Pokemon GO players have been busted for drugs, and franchise used as front for illegal activity around the world.
As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that this latest news about the Pokemon TCG shop in Hong Kong is beyond disheartening. The fact that such an iconic franchise, which has brought joy to countless individuals worldwide, is being used as a front for drug trafficking is truly heart-wrenching.
Authorities in Hong Kong have found a significant illegal operation linked to the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). They stumbled upon an enormous cache of methamphetamine valued at approximately $1.3 million USD hidden within a warehouse disguised as a regular Pokémon TCG store. This massive drug seizure, potentially one of the biggest financially for any crime involving Pokémon, has left fans worldwide stunned.
The Pokemon franchise, renowned for its popularity and profitability, has unfortunately been linked to a significant amount of criminal activity. Despite its family-friendly image, showcased in upcoming events like September 2024’s Community Day for Pokemon GO, instances of misconduct have been reported. The law enforcement dealing with these incidents has described the behavior as “reckless and shameful.”
According to the South China Morning Post, a police raid took place at a Pokémon Trading Card Game shop on August 19, 2024. The raid followed the discovery of a 28-year-old man outside the store who was found in possession of approximately 5 kilograms (or about 2.2 pounds) of methamphetamine. During the search, police discovered a total of 16 kilograms of the drug hidden in an area of the shop reserved for staff members. The estimated street value of this stash is around $10 million HKD ($1.3 million USD). It’s important to note that the drugs weren’t sold or trafficked by the Pokémon TCG tournament attendees or underage customers, despite the shop being a popular spot for both.
Despite there being no evidence of children involved, Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau Inspector Liong Chun-Hin found the operation to be quite unscrupulous, stating that the behavior “also heightens the possible risk of teenagers and children mistakenly encountering illegal drugs.” Unfortunately, this is far from the first case of criminals attempting to conduct their illegal business while using the Pokemon franchise as a front. Last summer, cops from New Bedford, Massachusetts shut down a drug trafficking operation using Pokemon boxes to ship large amounts of cocaine.
Pokemon GO (to Jail)
Though Pokemon GO is generally considered a light-hearted Pokemon game, it seems to have a surprising connection with crime, particularly in recent times. For instance, a player was arrested on drug charges a few years ago while playing the mobile version of the game at a park in the middle of the night. This Florida resident was found openly using marijuana at the closed park, which eventually led police to search his vehicle and discover 3.5 grams of cocaine, 5.5 pounds of THC oil, and a pound of marijuana.
Beyond individuals exploiting Pokémon as a cover for illegal activities, there has been at least one instance where a crime went unpunished due to the influence of Pokémon. A video from last year’s dashcam footage exposed police officers engaged in playing Pokémon GO instead of addressing a robbery, all while violating numerous traffic regulations. Given that the Pokémon franchise continues to gain traction, fans need to stay alert and cautious about suspicious activities.
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2024-08-23 04:53