Summary
Police in Hong Kong have uncovered a serious crime relating toPokemon TCG, discovering a massive stash of methamphetamine worth approximately $1.3 million USD in a warehouse pretending to be a normalPokemon TCGstore. The huge drug bust, which could likely be one of the largest dollar amounts of any crime related toPokemon,is shocking fans of the franchise around the world.
Pokemonis an extremely popular franchise, and an extremely profitable one. Despite the franchise’s family-friendly and innocent appeal, demonstrable through things such asPokemon GO’s upcoming September 2024 Community Day,Pokemonunfortunately seems to attract plenty of crime. While some criminal acts may be considered more severe than others, this particular crime is being labeled by the law enforcement involved as “irresponsible and disgraceful.”
First reported by theSouth China Morning Post, thePokemon TCGshop raid took place on June 29, 2025. Following the investigation of a 28-year-old man found in front of the store holding 5 kilograms - roughly 2.2 pounds - of methamphetamine, the police raid uncovered a total of 16 kilograms of the narcotic in an area of the shop exclusively for staff members. Hong Kong police estimate the supply to be worth $10 million HKD, equivalent to around $1.3 million USD. AlthoughPokemon TCGtournaments and underage customers were apparently frequent there, the drugs weren’t sold or trafficked by said clientele.
Despite there being no evidence of children involved, Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau Inspector Liong Chun-Hin found the operation to be quite unscrupulous, stating that the behavior “also heightens the possible risk of teenagers and children mistakenly encountering illegal drugs.” Unfortunately, this is far from the first case of criminals attempting to conduct their illegal business while using thePokemonfranchise as a front. Last summer, cops from New Bedford, Massachusettsshut down a drug trafficking operation usingPokemonboxesto ship large amounts of cocaine.
Pokemon GO (to Jail)
Despite being one of the most casual ofPokemontitles,Pokemon GOappears to be the most correlated with crime, at least in recent years. A few years ago aPokemon GOplayer was busted for drugsbecause he was playing the mobile game at a park at 2am. The Florida man was openly using marijuana at the closed park, which led to police searching in his vehicle and finding 3.5 grams of cocaine, 5.5 pounds of THC oil, and a pound of marijuana.
In addition to people usingPokemonas a front for crime, one crime was allowed to be committedbecauseofPokemon. Dashcam footage revealed last year showspolice ignoring a robbery to playPokemonGO, while also breaking multiple traffic laws in the process. With thePokemonfranchise only seeming to grow in popularity, fans should be vigilant in looking out for any sketchy dealings.
Pokemon TCG
Pokemon TCG (Trading Card Game) is a collectible and strategy based card game based on Nintendo’s Pokemon franchise. Two players face off against one another, battling one Pokemon at a time and attempting to knock them out to claim one of six prize cards. The cards have also become highly collectible with some in particular selling for thousands of dollars.
