When I was kid, adults were issuing stern warnings about taking stickers from strangers. “The stickers are laced with drugs,” they’d say. “After you lick the sticker, you’ll be hooked on drugs for life!” Not once in my life did a strange adult approach me and offer me a sticker. However, no one ever warned my friends and me to be wary of the ice cream truck. Maybe they should have, though, because Long Beach, Calif., police have arrested two men suspected of selling drugs out of an ice cream truck.
The out-of-tune sound of an ice cream truck’s recorded calipee music is a summer tradition across much of America. Lured by the rusted out pied pipers, kids from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds flock around the trucks, exchanging their allowance money for frozen treats. When I was a kid, my favorite treat was a cherry-flavored sno-cone. Still is, in fact, except now, as an adult, I’m highly skeptical of the cleanliness of ice cream trucks. George Williams and Monti Ware have given the residents of Long Beach an extra reason to be wary of ice cream trucks.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Long Beach Police spokeswoman Nancy Pratt explained, “Narcotics detectives allege the truck was being used as a front for drug sales and arrested two men shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday in the 3200 block of East Artesia Boulevard.”
Drug Investigations Section Detectives arrest two suspects for sales of Meth and Marijuana from an Ice Cream Truck on the 3200 Blk of E. Artesia Blvd. Firearm recovered. #LBPD #LBPDNorth pic.twitter.com/oP0oljWOhf
— LBPD Detectives (@LBPDDetectives) August 27, 2018
According to the report, between $2,000 and $4,000 worth of marijuana and methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun were confiscated from the truck and the two men. Both men are being held at the Long Beach city jail. Williams’ bond has been set at $30,000. Ware, who has also been charged with the felony possession of a firearm and ammunition, had his bond set at $50,000.
TheLos Angeles Times is reporting that as of now the details of what tipped narcotic detectives off and prompted the investigation have not been revealed.
If anything, this story out of Long Beach should remind parents to not assume that everything is as it appears.
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