During a traffic stop in Ohio, police made an unexpected find: a raccoon was sitting in the front seat of a car, holding a glass meth pipe in its mouth. The incident occurred when officers with the Springfield Township Police pulled over Victoria Vidal, 55, who had an outstanding warrant and a suspended driver’s license.
When they approached the vehicle, they were surprised to see the raccoon, named Chewy, clutching the drug paraphernalia. This discovery prompted further investigation. Police reported that they found “bulk amounts” of meth and crack cocaine, along with three used glass meth pipes.
Fortunately, the raccoon was unharmed, and authorities confirmed that Vidal had the necessary permits to own it. “The chewiness somehow led officers to realize there was more going on,” the police department noted. They mentioned that despite their training for unexpected scenarios, this was a first for them—encountering a raccoon with such a pipe.
In Ohio, having a raccoon as a pet can be legal if all documentation is properly in place. However, there’s still uncertainty about where the raccoon might be taken next or if it will be returned to Vidal.
Vidal faces multiple charges, including possession of drugs, three counts of drug paraphernalia, and for driving with a suspended license. Additional charges related to the crack cocaine are anticipated based on lab results. She was also transferred to authorities in Cuyahoga Falls due to her aggressive warrant.
