Teens get busted MMSing pics of marijuana, buy locations

In case all you parents out there were unaware of the downsides of teen cellphone use (dirty pictures, driving distractions, dangerous radiation), your kids have found yet another way to tech-out their illegal activities: selling drugs by MMSing pictures of the merchandise and the locations where they can be purchased. Apparently a group of affluent teens from Shrewsbury, MA, likely bored with spending their parents' money at the mall, were running a marijuana ring wherein photos were sent to other kids who would then forward the pics to their friends in a rather impressive display of viral marketing. Unfortunately for these young entrepreneurs, the parents of one of the children who received a drug-centric MMS were snooping through his/her cellphone and alerted the cops about this kiddie cartel. Police were able to use the photos they gathered to obtain tracking warrants, and after a bit of surveillance, arrested six of the teens involved in the operation. So remember parents, along with giving your kids "hugs not drugs," it's also helpful to invade their privacy as much as you can get away with.

[Via Tech Dirt]

[TZK @ Dec 28th 2005 1:37PM]

Im from MA... and honestly, I am not suprised anyone from SHREW was this stupid and got caught.



In general, I dont think "kids" realize how un protected their phones are from adults, or people or authoritaah!



Goofy bastards.

[Mike @ Dec 28th 2005 1:48PM]

YEAH good ole massachusetts!

[Chris @ Dec 28th 2005 1:50PM]

so another way to buy marijuana...what will people think of next...an online store...these teens shouldn't be selling that stuff or even with that stuff. they should be like us...tech, tech, tech...not drugs,drugs,drugs

[frank @ Dec 28th 2005 2:15PM]

Hey Chris (#2) -- could you be any dorkier? Just wondering.

[Dinnie @ Dec 28th 2005 2:31PM]

I'm so glad I'm dutch sometimes.

[sunz @ Dec 28th 2005 2:34PM]

I love the Verizon Product "Placement" . haha

[melloncollie @ Dec 28th 2005 2:41PM]

Hay frank, could you keep unwarranted comments out of this? Just wondering.

You're on this site, how dorkier can you get?

[Tobor is Robot spelled backwards @ Dec 28th 2005 2:42PM]

Sounds like Chris needs to get laid, laid, laid.



And now I'm off to get high and play Animal Crossing DS.(a match made in heaven by the way)

[Dan @ Dec 28th 2005 2:43PM]

Although your comment wasnt addressed to me frank.



I rather be a dork then a druggy....

I lost two friends to drugs. One killed in a car accident by a kid stoned driving like an idiot, and the other from a addict who killed my friend for money to buy drugs. If it was up to me I would sentenced anyone dealing with the sell of drugs to be executed or sentenced to life. All they do is bring pain no matter what.

[Brad C @ Dec 28th 2005 2:47PM]

#5: In the US kids have no rights and are the property and responsibility of their parents/guardians, meaning the phone really belonged to the parents so they can look at it any time they want.



Ethical is another issue...

[wtfunkymonkey @ Dec 28th 2005 3:01PM]

MaxSMoke;

chances are that the cell phone was under the parents name in the first place, that would easily put the issue of 3rd party to rest. Despite the fact that the child used the phone, ownership (and therefore legal responsability) would still be assigned to the parents. It's a good chance that the DA and/or the judge would have stomped it.In addition to that in most cases the basis of invasion of privacy in regards to minors applies only to third parties other than parents. Afterall, parents are almost entirely responsible (both civilly and legaly) for thier child's actions.

[Blacknimbus @ Dec 28th 2005 3:05PM]

I doubt there will be any problem with investigation. Without having all the facts, you have what appears to be a tip from a parent who was likely paying for the phone that was used by their minor child. It's easier to argue that the phone belonged to the parent and there was little expectation of privacy.



Distribution or even the intent to distribute is a lot more serious than buying a ounce from your buddy. I'm guessing those involved in the selling side are going to need some high-powered lawyers.

[chris ct. @ Dec 28th 2005 3:08PM]

the article seems to indicate that all the legal action will take place in connecticut. poor suckers. the legal ramifications in connecticut appear to be much more strict in ct than in ma.



http://norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=&Group_ID=4527



http://norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=&Group_ID=4543

[Maxi @ Dec 28th 2005 3:09PM]

Using that plan is just a way to get caught with evidence against you, what a stupid idea. If you want to be a safe dealer, keep it with your close friends and let it spread slowly, not via advertisments. How would the advertising work as well anyway, because it's only a picture, and it's the smell and the weight that really counts. A better plan would be to text your mates saying '1.9g 10 bags, weigh them when you get them,' and then to conceal stalk inside the buds. It's still a stupid plan though.



btw I don't do or deal drugs, it's just my close friend has been a dealer for the past year and half.

[Andrew @ Dec 28th 2005 3:15PM]

That assumes that you give your kids privacy. Minor children only have as much privacy (generally speaking) as their parents grant them. Legally, the parents are responsible for their actions and in some states (including the one I live) a parent can be forced to pay for damages that a minor child carries out and the parent is liable for the damage, not the child.



So to be a pedant, there was no invasion of privacy because this parent obviously did not grant their child privacy of their phone.

[tb @ Dec 28th 2005 3:20PM]

this happened all around my neighborhood.

it's nice to see my neck of the woods on engadget.

am i a celebrity now?

[supersocialist @ Dec 28th 2005 3:23PM]

What awful parents. "Oh no, my kid is doing something I don't like! I'd better ruin his future by involving the authorities!"



A convicted murdered is elligible for gov't financial aid for college, and a convicted drug offender isn't. Good going, ma. I hope you can afford tuition yourself.

[Mike @ Dec 28th 2005 3:24PM]

Parents think they can outwit their kids, kids think they can outwit their parents. Both technically can, but it ain't right. Marijuana has been grouped into "drugs", but really it's no worse than alcohol...kids figure out that's not as bad as their parents say, therein begins the distrust.

I think all american kids should be sent abroad to 3rd world countries when they're 18 to see what the real world is like. Places where you can see what happens when things are at extreme(by comparison to USA). Blatant corruption. Drug abuse. Sexual diseases. Real hardship. In america, kids grow up in opulent households with a bland lifestyle. Send 'em abroad, I say.



moderation is the key.

[Dan @ Dec 28th 2005 4:22PM]

supersocialist,



From the article:



"[Sgt. Daniel] Devine said the teen whose parent found the message was not involved in the sale but merely had received the advertisement on their cell phone."



Yeah, just a line, but seems to indicate that the kid in question didn't get arrested or anything. Just happened to get the advertisement... which is why the dealers were bound to get caught by the way. Some parent, somewhere was going to come across the pictures and report it once the ad spread out far enough.



For all we know, the parent might not have even been snooping. Kid could have gotten the ad, forgot about it and a while later let his mom try to find an old pic he took of her.



And if it wasn't a parent, a goody-two shoes probably would have ratted them out eventually...

[Sports Betting @ Dec 28th 2005 4:32PM]

i mean it's like they all know the information is going to land in a few (hundred) server its fully traceable, it has their name on the information, they know where you leave, how old you are, even if you are subceptible to any deaseases!



dorks !

[Mischa Lockton @ Dec 28th 2005 4:51PM]

#9 you are so full of it.



These are the types of problems avoided when we LEGALIZE IT!

[Kat @ Dec 28th 2005 5:15PM]

#23 Mischa, while I do support you that it should be legalized, that won't solve any problems.

Though technically marijuana is less harmful to your body than smoking a cigarette, or other things because of all the artificial and toxic ingredients, that's not to say that it's any safer.

The problem with anything classified as a drug is that there's an unpredictable chemical reaction tied to it.

Just because one person can take a few hits and feel perfectly fine, doesn't mean everyone can.

Some people aren't as easily affected by these types of drugs, for some it can make their system completely unstable.

That's the only problem I see with legalizing Marijuana, it would definitely cut down on the need to import, deal, etc. and cut down on some of the drug-related crime, if not all of it possibly. But the unpredictable outcome of using it is a problem.

That doesn't seem to stop other things like alchohol though I guess. Some people are barely affected while others become violent and uncontrollable, or overly-passionate.

All of the alchohol-related problems weren't solved by its being legal.

All in all though, the benefits of legalizing would be greater than not legalizing it.

It's a strange area, the only problem, with it and any drug, etc. is the unpredictability of the users, but that could be solved by laws on designated areas of use, selling/buying guidelines, etc.



Personally I think the best alternative is just to avoid it all together. I don't understand why people would want to pollute their body just so they can get a temporary and artificial high, but obviously not everyone is of the same mindset as me.

[EF @ Dec 28th 2005 5:22PM]

These kids will get their hands slapped, we all know that. The low-income 'dealers' though would do harder time--we all know that too. And, we also all know that supply and demand cannot be controlled by governments----Prohibition proved it here.



De-criminalize/legalize and educate---that's the best any society can do---you gonna outlaw boredom?



In the end this is American capitalism at it's finest--exploit new technology to increase "productivity"---this stuff happens all the time---we shouldn't be surprised.

[thc @ Dec 28th 2005 5:29PM]

You get greedy, you get caught. Simple as that. It's a good idea NOT to advertise your illegal dealings. Word gets around on its own.

[Ivan Kolin @ Dec 28th 2005 5:53PM]

Um...



Let the damn kids get their marijuana!!!

[Dave Irontail @ Dec 28th 2005 5:59PM]

Ever notice the ONLY time you ever hear about Marijuana is when there is a bust? The ONLY time. If marijuana was so horrid, where are all the stories about the horrors on how it effects society? Why are there no marijuana rehabs or no 12-step programs, if this 'drug' is so bad?



Marijuana doesnt KILL, it incarcerates

[trickeyfish @ Dec 28th 2005 6:30PM]

The post above about how someones friend was killed by a "stoned" driver, is a perfect example of how regulating and legalizing marijuana would stop these sort of accidents.



Alcohol is legal and more people are killed by it, and have a much better chance of getting back on there feet after a couple months in jail or rehap, whereas sell or poses any amount a marijuana and you can kiss your life goodbye.

[aeo @ Dec 28th 2005 7:16PM]

Wow... this discussion really brings out the conflict within our society. On one hand people get pissed off at parents for not "controlling" their kids better when they rape or kill other people's kids or knock-over a convenience store, drink and drive, or any other action that harms others. On the other hand, people get pissed off when parents try to enforce boundries on their children and "deprive" them of "experiences" such as drinking, sex, and drugs. How about this, we've all seen one side by being kids, now try being a parent before passing judgement on situations you can't hope to understand. But I guess it's the American way, to pass judgement without perspective.

[WiredEarp @ Dec 28th 2005 7:21PM]

Posted at 2:43PM on Dec 28th 2005 by Dan 0 stars

> I rather be a dork then a druggy....

> I lost two friends to drugs. One killed in a car

> accident by a kid stoned driving like an idiot,

> and the other from a addict who killed my friend

> for money to buy drugs. If it was up to me I

> would sentenced anyone dealing with the sell of

> drugs to be executed or sentenced to life. All

> they do is bring pain no matter what.



Sorry to hear about your mates Dan. BUT...

it doesn't sound like drugs killed your friends - more like idiots did.

Firstly, more studies have shown that stoned drivers are safer than have shown that they are worse drivers.

Secondly, more people are killed every year by drunk drivers than drugged ones, and I dont see you advocating the death penalty for them, or for all drinkers or liquor shop owners for that matter?

Thirdly, many people (probably about 65% here in New Zealand, come for a holiday sometimes green lovers :) ) smoke weed occasionally and see nothing wrong with it. I drove wasted for 10 years (ages 18-28) and never had a crash... probably because I knew when i was too fucked up to drive, and because I have enough social responsibility not to drive like a maniac when I did drive (unlike many who drive like maniacs even when straight).



Comments like yours are a perfect example of the thinking of those who think others are not responsible for their actions. Do you blame the food the bird ate when it craps on your car or do you blame the bird? I know which one is DIRECTLY responsible. As to addicts killing to buy drugs, unfortunately its true with drugs such as meth etc that people are more violent and get stronger withdrawls. However, you have to look at the reasons that meth has become popular - which is the illegality of safer, more socially acceptable drugs. How many kids die of sniffing glue, dust-off, etc, every year who could have been saved if they'd just had a nice fat joint to get high on.

As to them just bringing pain, its obvious you have no idea - you think people would DO them if thats all they bought? And dont trot out the 'theyre just addicts' argument... while its totally possible to be addicted to weed (I was for years) it didn't stop me from having a fulfilling life, holding down a job, keeping my friends and gf, etc. Kinda cracks me up, America used to pretend to be 'land of the free' (still does just no-one believes them really anymore) yet they have the highest proportion of people imprisoned for non-violent crimes.



Personally, I succumb to the 'live and let live' philosophy. I dont care WTF your smoking or shooting up, its when you try to mug me, run into me in your car, interfere with me in any way etc, that a CRIME occurs. IMHO it cant be a crime if your the perp AND the 'victim' ;)



If after reading this you still want to advocate the death penalty for all drugs (you didn't actually mention what drugs you think deserved the death penalty, I hope caffeine and nicotine wern't included, although nicotine is a big killer) then maybe you should consider moving to Singapore?



Sorry again about your mates tho, its always terrible when people are taken tragically. But dont blame the substance, blame the person. Even meth heads know right from wrong (cept maybe when theyre in psychosis from sleep withdrawl) they just choose to ignore it in favour of their own interests.



A final shot, the USA's founding fathers GREW weed (indian hemp - a drug). Lucky they wern't executed eh? Not to mention all the artists, kings and queens who also indulged (along with a fair few of your current politicians I bet).



Sorry about the long post guys, look what straightness makes me do ;-9

[fat_bunnies @ Dec 28th 2005 10:41PM]

smoke weed every day, i love the ganja! i got pics of all my best on my phone, that and pics of my bong

[Harry @ Dec 28th 2005 11:27PM]

#20 - Its a pity that in some kids marajuana causes Schizophrenia. So no - it is not the same as alcohol. Get your facts right.

[Scott @ Dec 29th 2005 2:11AM]

f

[Keagan @ Dec 29th 2005 3:07AM]

anyone who even thinks about taking drugs are probably addicts. jimmy hendrix was a loss to the world.

but still, it isnt fair to invade kids privacy. would you like it? what happens if your kid was MSNing to their crush and you busted them thinking they were dealing drugs?

[olivia @ Dec 29th 2005 5:40AM]

That's a strange news. I think now all parents will start taking more care on these things also.

[A2 @ Dec 29th 2005 10:26AM]

Holy smokes. Seriously, as soon as these kids take drugs they plan there death. The only time anyone should take grugs is when it is prescribed to you by a doctor.

[TxdoHawk @ Dec 29th 2005 2:05PM]

This is a pretty dumb idea any way you slice it, but what can you do. Kids will be kids.



Remember kids, don't smoke pot...send it to me instead. 8) You've got learning to do before you go out and get stoned. (And no, I don't mean learning from those godawful, stupid commercials running now that tell you smoking pot will make you abandon your grandmother or hate your little brother, I mean actual useful knowledge.)

[tim @ Dec 29th 2005 5:27PM]

>I rather be a dork then a druggy....

...If it was up to me I would sentenced anyone dealing with the sell of drugs to be executed or sentenced to life.



That's the kind of mentally defecient logic that got your friends killed. Drugs are already illegal and penalties are unreasonably harsh. As your story tells, that didn't help your friends, so how is increasing penalties going to solve the problem? It isn't. It is time to push those that think like Dan out of the drug policy debate.

[John Molina @ Dec 31st 2005 4:30AM]

Rockin' the ganj!



I've driven high so many times. Never been in an accident. Y'all are crazy.



Sounds like some of the people on here are more dangerous than marijuana. Yikes.

[Monkey @ Dec 31st 2005 10:28AM]

lol @ everyone saying 'more people are killed by alcohol than marijuana'. That fact is entirely useless.



Remember, marijuana is illegal, and therefore harder to obtain than alcohol, so naturally there are less consumers of it than alcohol in the US: hence, more people die from alcohol related incidences than marijuana.



Anyone who thinks marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol seems to entirely ignore the proven long-term negative effects of marijuana on human health. Whether cigarettes or marijuana are worse is just pointless to argue since it's a question similar to 'is jumping off a cliff or shooting myself worse for me?'; they both offer different sets of health complications.



The thought that marijuana is 'more natural' (and therefore okay) is just laughable since plenty of natural substances are very bad for you (cyanide can be easily found in nature for example). The word 'chemical' does not instantly denote unsafe and unnatural; there are certainly chemicals in marijuana, just as there are in cigarettes. Marijuana still ruins lungs like cigarettes do. But it's your life, do what you want with it; I'm not one to say what is right and wrong, I'm just telling you the bad side of what marijuana will do to your body.