SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — A routine traffic stop in South Portland led to a significant drug bust, drawing attention to a growing concern—illegal drugs being disguised in what appears to be legal marijuana packaging.
The South Portland Police Department stopped a vehicle on Saturday and found two men from Massachusetts allegedly transporting large amounts of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. What stood out to police and the community was how the drugs were packaged.
The seized drugs were stored in bags designed to resemble common snack foods, such as Skittles, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Welch’s Fruit Snacks. While sometimes legal marijuana stores use snacks and candy as inspiration for names and packaging, authorities say there was no connection to licensed dispensaries.
“You can’t sell that kind of packaged marijuana product in a legal cannabis store,” South Portland Police Chief Dan Ahern said, confirming that the use of popular name brands is often a clear sign of illegal packaging.
Police believe the suspects may have purchased the packaging online to conceal the drugs while transporting them. Although the products likely weren’t intended for sale in their current form, experts say such deceptive packaging can still pose risks to the public.
Lee Anne Dodge, who leads SoPo Unite, a group focused on youth substance prevention, said the incident is especially concerning for young people who may unknowingly come across these substances.
“Most of what is sold in Maine is through legal processes,” Dodge explained. “However, there is the black market where those substances are coming in and often can be laced with other substances like fentanyl.”
She worries that if illegal drugs continue to be sold in familiar-looking packaging, people may mistakenly assume they are safe.
While law enforcement can usually distinguish between legal and illegal products, the public may find it more difficult to do so.
“It doesn’t say on the package that this is not legitimate, so that is very concerning,” Dodge added.
Authorities are urging legal cannabis users to purchase products only from licensed dispensaries and to be aware of misleading packaging.
