US Portland Police Discover Drugs During Vehicle Check
Driver and Passenger Arrested on Vehicle Theft and Drug Possession Charges
A photo showing a large amount of drugs seized from a bag engraved with the phrase "Definitely not a bag full of drugs" in the United States has gone viral online.
On the 12th (local time), the British daily The Guardian reported on a bizarre incident that occurred on the 8th in Portland, Oregon, USA. At the time, Portland police stopped a man driving a reported stolen vehicle on the road. While inspecting the car, the police noticed that the vehicle's ignition system was severely damaged and found several bags containing drugs inside the car.
Photo of seized drugs released by Portland Police, Oregon, USA [Image source: Screenshot from Portland Police Department X (formerly Twitter)]
The police arrested the male driver (35) and a female passenger (37). They also revealed that the drugs found in the vehicle included 79 fentanyl pills, a type of synthetic drug, and 230g of methamphetamine (Philopon). In addition, a bundle of cash and a loaded handgun were found inside the car.
The police stated that the drugs found in the car were inside a bag prominently labeled "Definitely not a bag full of drugs." The commercially made bag had the phrase printed as a joke, but the arrested man and woman had placed "real" drugs inside it. The Guardian reported that both suspects were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of drugs.
Later, the Portland police posted photos of the seized drugs and firearms on their X (formerly Twitter) account, which sparked a heated response from netizens in the comments. One X user commented, "The photo and description of the bag are a great example of old-school comedy," while another said, "That bag must have once been a great playful gift." Another user sarcastically remarked, "In this area (Oregon), it’s actually strange if your car isn’t stolen or if there aren’t drugs and guns inside," mocking the frequent drug-related crimes in the region.
Meanwhile, Oregon was the first of the 50 U.S. states in 2020 to legalize possession of most drugs, including methamphetamine (Philopon) and cocaine, but reversed the policy after about three years. On March 1st, the Oregon Senate passed a bill imposing up to six months imprisonment for possession of drugs such as cocaine, fentanyl, Philopon, and heroin.
Previously, in November 2020, Oregon had effectively decriminalized drugs with 58% of voters in favor during a referendum. However, after widespread complaints from residents that the state had become a haven for drug addicts and homeless people, the policy was repealed. However, Oregon excluded marijuana from punishment.
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