Police Department Looking for Owner of “Lost” Crack

 Posted on May 29, 2017 in Drugs and Narcotics

If you were to lose your wallet, it would be fairly reasonable for you to get on social media and to ask for help in locating it. Similarly, if you found a healthy-looking, friendly dog wandering in your neighborhood, you may take to Facebook in an attempt to locate the dog’s owner. But, what if you found some type of illegal drug? While you would probably not jump on social media in such a situation, a local police department in Pennsylvania recently did just that.

A Deadly Drug Problem

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is a smallish city of about 40,000 people in Eastern Pennsylvania, situated in Luzerne County with a population of about 318,000. In 2016, however, Luzerne County experienced at least 137 fatal drug overdoses, with victims ranging from all walks of life. Amidst the drug-related struggles facing the area’s residents, local law enforcement officials are looking for ways to combat the deadly issue. The dark cloud over the region could also explain the rather sarcastic—almost bitter—sense of humor shown by the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department last week.

“Found Item”

This past Wednesday, the police department posted on its Facebook page claiming that $1,600 worth of crack cocaine had been found by police in a shopping center parking lot. The post purported that the department was “seeking to reunite crack cocaine and the person that lost it.” It went on to say that anyone wishing to claim the drugs would need to appear in person at the department headquarters with a picture of themselves and the drugs, a form of identification, and a written statement claiming the crack cocaine.

Virtually nobody who read the post expected anything fruitful to happen in terms of prosecuting the actual owner of the drugs, but strange things have been known to happen in the world of law enforcement. One of the most concerning elements of the situation is that the drugs were found in a very public place where they could have easily been picked up by a curious child. Despite comments from Facebook users accusing the police department of wasting resources on social media flame wars, most of the responses were positive, recognizing the department for its unique approach to community outreach.

Drug Charges in Illinois

Pennsylvania is not alone in its battle against illegal drug use. The state of Illinois is also facing many of the same problems in helping citizens with drug addiction and other destructive behaviors. If you have been charged with the possession of illegal drugs, it is important to work with a lawyer who understands the law and your options. Contact an experienced Chicago drug crimes defense attorney for help today. Call 773-276-5541 for a free consultation with Luisi Legal Group.

Sources:

https://apnews.com/536b13e653454ebcbb8586b2f44bac1f/Cops-put-parking-lot-crack-cocaine-in-'lost-and-found'

https://www.facebook.com/WBTPD/photos/a.809171365776321.1073741826.192682367425227/1767069399986508/