The Infamous Cocaine Bear
A black bear discovered a stash of cocaine worth millions of dollars in the woods of northern Georgia in the summer of 1985. What happened next was a weird series of events that captivated the nation's attention. This article delves into the famed drug bear's story and the circumstances that led to its unfortunate end.
The Discovery
Local officials discovered the bear on June 20, 1985, in the Chattahoochee National Forest. It was found dead beside a stockpile of more than 70 pounds of cocaine dropped from an aircraft by a narcotics dealer. The bear had probably eaten a significant amount of cocaine, which resulted in its death. The event was rapidly called the "cocaine bear" case and garnered global attention.
The Smuggler
Andrew Thornton II, a narcotics courier, left the cocaine behind. Thornton, a former narcotics police and pilot, played a key role in the transportation of drugs out of South America into the United States. The night of the cocaine drop, Thornton and his crew were flying over Georgia when one of the cocaine bags unintentionally slipped out of the plane. Thornton and his other crew members made the decision to land the plane and search for the misplaced baggage, but Thornton lost his life when his parachute didn't deploy correctly.
The Aftermath
A media frenzy and an extensive search for the smugglers behind the drop resulted from the discovery of the cocaine bear. The event also raised awareness to the nation's expanding drug trafficking issue. The Cocaine Bear was named a protected species in Georgia in 1986, and it was subsequently on exhibit at the Chattahoochee National Forest Visitor Center.
Conclusion
The odd and sad tale of the cocaine bear never ceases to hold the public's attention. It serves as a reminder of the risks associated with drug trafficking and how it may affect both human and animal life. Although the cocaine bear is no longer with us, its memory endures as a warning and a representation of the struggle against drug trafficking.
Hollywood Treatment
Now the wild story of the Cocaine Bear has been given the Hollywood thriller treatment and turned into a movie directed by actress and director Elizabeth Banks. The movie Cocaine Bear will have its theatrical release on February 24, 2023.
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