Raccoon With Meth Pipe In Its Mouth Allegedly Found In Driver’s Seat Of Ohio Woman’s Vehicle

An Ohio woman is facing drug charges after a raccoon was allegedly found in her vehicle with a meth pipe in its mouth, police said.

The Springfield Township Police Department said the “strange encounter” took place when Officer Austin Branham conducted a traffic stop on South Arlington Road at around 7:15 p.m. Monday. The vehicle’s registered owner had an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license.

The driver, 55-year-old Victoria Vidal of Akron was detained without incident, but “things took an unusual turn” when Branham spotted a raccoon named Chewy “sitting in the driver’s seat with a meth pipe in its mouth.”

A search of the vehicle revealed a “bulk amount” of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and three used glass meth pipes, police said.

Vidal was charged with felony drug possession, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and was cited for driving under suspension. In relation to her active warrant, Vidal was turned over to Cuyahoga Falls Police.

Police said additional charges for crack cocaine possession will be presented to a grand jury pending lab results.

“Thankfully, Chewy the raccoon was unharmed, and notification was made to the proper authorities to determine that she has the proper paperwork and documentation,” police said. “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.”