14 DAY TRIAL // A car stopped for traffic violations on the Interstate was carrying 1,250 packs of heroin stamped with “Obamacare” and “Kurt Cobain.” Officers pulled the car over and arrested four people for drug trafficking, possession and conspiracy.
Officer Joseph Petty believed he was making just a usual traffic stop in Northampton, Massachusetts, when he discovered something rather weird.
In the car, there were four people and 1,250 packs holding the Obamacare stamp, filled with what seemed to be heroin at a first look. To be sure, the officer requested a State Police K9, and after having his theory confirmed, he proceeded with taking the four offenders into custody.
All the passengers were in their twenties and were charged with heroin trafficking, conspiracy to violate the drug laws and possession to distribute a Class A substance.
The driver was also charged with seeding, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle, notes The Huffington Post.
Regarding the weird branding on the heroin packs, besides the “Obamacare” stamps, there were also some bags with a “Kurt Cobain” label. The names have nothing to do with the official program or the deceased artist, they are just used as a marketing tool making this particular kind more attractive to customers.
“It's a branding by the particular drug dealer so when the drug gets out to the population, you know what it is. It's also just a branding so you can say if this brand is good or bad. It's like putting Pepsi or Coca-Cola on a bottle,” Police Lieutenant Daniel Richard told The Daily News.
Like any advertisement or marketing campaign, drug dealers also have their ways of promoting their merchandise, so if Obamacare and Kurt Cobain are seen fit for drug name use, they will use it. With these particular names, they may have spiked some laughter or just curiosity, making their product demand grow.