Police officers are ever expanding their definition of what constitutes an “open container.” These days, it could be a package of gummy bears. Earlier this month, police in another state arrested three young adults from New York who were traveling in a car together. The officers initially stopped the car over for a speeding violation.
Once the officers had a chance to talk with the 22-year-old male driver, they were suspicious that he was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Upon searching the vehicle, police found a wide variety of illegal items including drugs and paraphernalia. The most interesting item was a large stash of homemade gummy bear candies. The chewy, colorful, fruity and gum-like candy was formed in tin molds and laced with the drugs and powders.
All-in-all police found marijuana, LSD, prescription medication, “bath salts,” two pipes, four digital scales, hand grinders and methamphetamine.
The two passengers, 23-year-old and 26-year-old males, along with the driver were charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of dangerous drugs without prescriptions, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding, OWI, traffic violations, wrongful entrustment and possession of marijuana.
They were each being held on more than $100,000 in county jail until their next court date.
Hopefully these are first offenses for these young men so they don’t spend the rest of their lives haunted by drug or DWI charges. The police report did not mention the amount of drugs they had, and if they were misdemeanor or felony level amounts. It will also be interesting to see how authorities measure the intoxicants present in each gummy bear.
Source: Long Island Press, “Selden Man Arrested for Drug-laced Gummy Bears,” Kyle Kjellgren, June 22, 2012
