Man wanted for hiding cannabis-filled Easter eggs in parks
Police in the US are searching for a man accused of hiding plastic eggs filled with cannabis in parks as part of an Easter scavenger hunt.
Avante Nicholson allegedly placed five drug-laden eggs in various spots across three parks – often used by families – and behind a nearby motel in Lufkin, Texas on Easter Sunday.
He then posted a series of photos and clues on Facebook as a hint to their whereabouts.
Someone who saw the posts got in touch with police.
Officers found four of the eggs, while the fifth was found by a man and his granddaughter, who notified authorities.
In total the eggs contained more than a quarter of an ounce of marijuana, police said.
They have obtained four warrants for his arrest – three for third-degree felony delivery of marijuana in a drug-free zone and one for a state jail felony for delivery of marijuana.
Lufkin police chief David Thomas said: ‘On the surface, it seems implausible that someone would give away a drug, but the follow-up proves that sometimes even the most unlikely things do happen.
‘The safety of our community is at the forefront of everything we do. And in cases such as this, when it endangers children, we are even more vigilant.’
Nicholson’s Facebook includes several references to selling drugs, and in the lead up to the scavenger hunt, he posted that anyone who ‘shopped’ with him would receive exclusive hints to the locations of the cannabis eggs.
Chief Thomas praised the person who reported the Facebook posts, and emphasised how important it was to take all tips seriously, even when they sounded far-fetched.
‘Incidents like this are a reminder of why we take seriously all information called in to our offices,’ he said. ‘It’s our job to follow up, and this case shows exactly why that matters.’
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Lufkin Police Department directly.
Some people posting on Facebook said voiced their concerns.
‘I don’t care if people smoke, but I wouldn’t want a child picking up those eggs, this was stupid and now he has felonies,’ wrote one.
Another added: ‘Just one more in an increasingly long list of people and institutions taking away the joys of our children. I think it’s disgusting that a grown man would find this funny.’
Others found the scavenger hunt amusing.
One wrote: ‘Looks like quality stuff. Dude had this planned for advertisement purposes. He’ll be out and No.1 salesman next week,’ quipped one.
Another said: ‘Man dude was just playing Easter bunny.’
The eggs were hidden in Morris Frank Park, Winston Park, Grace Dunn Richardson Park, and also behind a nearby Motel 6.
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