Raccoon with Meth Pipe in Its Mouth Found in Driver’s Seat During Ohio Traffic Stop, Police Say

During a routine traffic stop for an alleged suspended license in Springfield, Ohio, a raccoon was seen grasping a meth pipe, catching the attention of local police.

An officer conducted the stop on Monday, May 5, the Springfield Township Police Department said in a May 6 press release. After the officer “made contact with the driver,” identified as 55-year-old Victoria Vidal, she was detained “without incident.”

“However, things took an unusual turn” as the officer returned to the vehicle, police continued. “He observed a raccoon named “Chewy” sitting in the driver’s seat with a meth pipe in its mouth.”

“Chewy had somehow gotten hold of a glass methamphetamine pipe, leading officers to further inspect the vehicle,” said police.

The discovery caused the officer to do “a subsequent search,” which allegedly revealed a “bulk amount of methamphetamine, crack cocaine” and “three used glass meth pipes,” police said.

Vidal, a resident of Akron, Ohio, was detained by the Springfield Township Police Department. She was charged with F3 possession of drugs, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and received a citation for driving with a suspended license, per the STPD.

She was booked by the Cuyahoga Falls Police for her active warrant.

“While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first! No raccoons were hurt or injured in this incident.”

They confirmed that Chewy was “unharmed” and noted that Vidal is the raccoon’s rightful owner.

PEOPLE reached out to the STPD for comment but did not immediately hear back.

In Ohio, residents are permitted to own a raccoon as a pet if they file the appropriate documentation, Fox 8 reported. Among other permitted exotic pets are chinchillas, sugar gliders, antelopes, roaming buffalo, moose, caribou, llamas, tarantulas, alpacas, deer and emus.

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It is unclear if Chewy will be returned to Vidal’s care.