RivCo DEA warns parents about emojis used in drug deals on social media
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning parents about drug trafficking on social media through the use of emojis.
Emojis that you see everyday, such as a snowman, chocolate bar and a diamond can be code for Cocaine, Xanax and Methamphetamine.
“Drug dealers and the traffickers, they're really getting sophisticated on how they communicate with their customers," said Amador Martinez, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the DEA in Riverside County.
Martinez says these emojis look harmless, but could be codes for a drug deal.
“As a parent, if I don't know that a cookie, means like, new batches in or big batches in there. Maybe I just think that two friends are talking about, hey, I love chocolate chip cookies," he said.
The DEA says "drug traffickers have turned smartphones into a one-stop shop to market, sell, buy, and deliver deadly, fake prescription pills and other dangerous drugs. In just three steps, deadly drugs can be purchased and delivered to your home just like any other good or service."
Martinez says they turn to popular social media apps like TikTok, WhatsApp and payment apps like Cashapp/Venmo.
“TikTok, where these dealers advertise. But after the advertisement... a lot of times you see that the next communication is moved over to a messaging app such as WhatsApp," he explained. "The payment app, you might see payments going back and forth, but listed as something different.”
The DEA says social media drug trafficking impacts all age groups, but adolescents and young adults are particularly susceptible given their high-rates of social media usage.
For mother of two, Christina Arthur, she’s aware of the dangers on these social media apps and monitors her daughters' usage.
“I am constantly looking at messages, looking at my daughter's phone. And I don’t want to pry too much because I want her to be an individual, but you have to be cautious and know your child’s triggers," Arthur said.
She shares a TikTok account with her 13-year-old daughter so she can keep a close eye.
"In my house, we’re pretty open about drug use and the dangers of it," Arthur said. "I just feel like the more they know, the better. If you keep them, you know, under the bridge they’re not going to understand the dangers of drug in general.”
Arthur was shocked to see that these emojis could have underlying meanings.
“It’s scary that they’re using these harmless emojis," she said. "Like the banana, to have our youth think that -Hey! No big deal. You’re just shooting a banana and they’re getting these drugs and don’t even realize what they’re taking."
It’s the reason why Martinez says it’s important now more than ever for parents to look out for these dangers.
“We're currently up to 6 out of 10 pills that are coming back as deadly pills," Martinez explained. "Whenever you buy any pill on social media, it's 100% guaranteed a fake pill. It's not prescription grade, you never know what you're getting.”
