- Ohio police found the pet raccoon in the driver’s seat
- The vehicle was pulled over as owner had an active warrant
- Crack cocaine and three methamphetamine pipes discovered
Here’s a story you probably didn’t expect today: police in Ohio discovered a pet raccoon with a meth pipe during a traffic stop.
And before you ask – no, the raccoon was not charged with drug possession. And it didn’t get high.
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In a Facebook post shared by the Springfield Township Police Department, it was revealed that “things took an unusual turn” after officers pulled over a vehicle whose registered owner had an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license.
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Officer Austin Branham placed the Ohio woman – identified as 55 year old Victoria Vidal – under arrest during the traffic stop on Monday, but when he returned to the driver’s seat, he found a pet raccoon sitting there with a glass methamphetamine pipe in its mouth.
“The raccoon has her meth pipe”
In released body cam footage, one officer can be heard saying, “The raccoon has her meth pipe,” before breaking into a fit of laughter.
As the woman tried to grab the pipe from her raccoon, the officer blocked her, stating, “That’s evidence now,” but she insisted, “Well, I don’t want him to have it.”
Like a scene from a slapstick comedy movie, when the officer took the pipe away, the raccoon pulled out another. He eventually swiped the second pipe from the creature, saying “alright, enough fun and games”.
According to the police statement, the pet raccoon is named Chewy – though following the event, Smoky might be more on brand.
Officers confirmed that Vidal had the proper paperwork and documentation to own Chew in Ohio, where domestication is legal. Thankfully, Chewy was also unharmed.
You can watch the moment unfold in the clip below:
Crack cocaine possession
“While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first!” wrote the Springfield Township Police Department on Facebook.
The incident led officers to further inspect the vehicle, and they found a bulk amount of methamphetamine, crack cocaine and three used methamphetamine pipes.
Vidal was charged with three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and given a ticket for driving under suspension. Police said she could face additional charges for crack cocaine possession, pending lab results from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Chew was placed in a carrier and officers contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to ensure that he is rehomed to a safer location.
“As always,” the department said, “we remain committed to keeping our community safe – no matter what surprises may come our way.”