When 2000lbs of Cocaine Washed Up in a Small Town

[@RareEarthSeries]

If Rare Earth is your addiction, feed it here: www.patreon.com/rareearth

[@takipsizad]

just like cocaine

[@alarsonious2071]

Dude. This is the best channel on KZbin.

[@GuntherRommel]

Oh yeah. This is the content I'm supporting. Never once regretted that receipt.

[@pacoperez1012]

Nice video, although you sound like you wish you were there.

[@rockets4kids]

When the first 1000 hits are free...

[@asphene4754]

Portuguese here. Some "fun" stories from the time period: -It is said that there was so much coke that a few youths made the lines of their football field with it without knowing what it was.(real) -Some where using it as flour on their food.(debated) -Others were selling it in small plastic cups.(real) -Antonio was found in a town called "Achadinha" which means "found" in portuguese.(real)

[@raebsen]

I guess their first thought wasn't to put in up their nose lol

[@vysharra]

There is zero chance you would cook with cocaine more than once. High grade coke is a _powerful anesthetic_ , it would make your whole mouth and face numb, so you wouldn’t be able to swallow or chew without making a huge mess (or injuring yourself). You also would taint the food with incredibly bitter compounds.

[@LoneWanderer905]

This is one of those rare situations where Portugal feels like Brazil.

[@DAndyLord]

I'm super opposed to decrim. Legalize or criminalize, half measures only make things worse. In my ideal world drugs would be legal, dispensed by a pharmacist and every dose (like beer) would be the same as the last. Decrim reduces the risk for dealers, but does not make the supply safer.

[@tommapar]

@@DAndyLord Completely agreed. Drugs being illegal only gives a reason to cartels and other criminal organizations form around the whole in that particular market. Besides, making it legal would make its effects easier to study and the warnings signs to curios people even clearer. Truth is, drugs have been a part of society since time immemorial. The Romans, and probably the Greeks by extension, drank wine spiked with cannabis, opium, even small amounts of nightshade and who knows what else. And they somehow made one of the most advanced, organized, and biggest societies of their time. Bill Hicks the comedian jokes about the possibility of a chimp evolving laughter out of eating a shroom off of a cow's feces. Stephen Hawking talked about the moment where speech materialized, and it's a fun notion to entertain. I mean, if a chimp started to make weird never before heard sounds it was either looking to communicate something terribly important, it was probably depredators/some amazing food/how to make a tool maybe or it was just straight up tripping balls haha! Whilst I don't think that happened, I find the possibility hilarious. But besides all that, I find important to take a mature approach to the issue of drugs. Prohibition was once a thing in the US and it spawned guys like Al Capone, I think we should look to history to see that it doesn't repeat itself. Teach people properly about this stuff and they will surely at least approach the subject in a more informed manner.

[@oluwaseunajia]

By the way, Portugal decriminalized the use, purchase, and possession of all narcotic in 2000, taking a stance that was more concerned with public health than with issues of public order. In Portugal, drug-use is a medical issue and not a crime so there's safe drug use, counseling and free treatment. It's been mostly a success story as such it's puzzling why more countries aren't adopting this model.

[@vappyreon1176]

Racism is a big factor tbh

[@JermStone]

Certain people profit off of the criminalization of drugs through use of private prisons. It's that simple.

[@shifty1927]

Its not puzzling... the countries that don't take that approach would rather profit from the suffering of their citizens than to spend some to help.

[@josiahhockenberry9846]

​@@shifty1927 I was just about to say that. It always boils down to money.

[@louiscypher4186]

Because we're not Portugese. In my country there are areas where liquor is heavily restricted due to the devastating effects it had on some ethnic groups. To many Portugese and other europeans this no doubt comes across as barbaric and discriminatory. But they were not here when the booze flowed freely, they didn't see the kids in hospitals vomiting up their stomach lining, 30 year olds with failing livers, they didn't see the beating, the rapes and everything else. So we introduced frameworks, we restricted sales, we restricted consumption, even in some places possession and not just fines but prison sentences for violators, even in the big cities where liquor is liberalised and embraced our laws on public drunkenness, drink driving and supplying to minors are much much harsher then european countries. All of this worked, we saw massive reductions in consumption and alcoholism and all the negative things that come with it. We tried your European way with alcohol and it was a disaster and considering the most vocal advocates of the portugese model for drugs are drug users themselves i see no reason to view it any differently then a Spanish, French or Englishmen offering a drink.

[@ZeSnark]

These sorts of bizzarro stories are the reason I will keep supporting this channel.

[@DanHaiduc]

I am new here. Feels like the Twilight Zone.

[@jackpoggioreale6264]

It’s the voice and tone for me

[@Alexander-cg1ey]

Because this channel tells the story of humanity struggling with any kind of power structure. Not just communism or capitalism, but all human struggle.

[@TransRoofKorean]

I wonder if OP is related to ZeFrank

[@louism9790]

The sorts of buzzard are stories are the reason i check out anything that could possibly be a brick of coke floating

[@duh_tch]

One of the things I love most about Rare Earth is how erratic the upload schedule is. Well go three months of radio silence, then a trip gets filming and bam, 5 videos in short order. But there’s no channel covering topics as simple and human, so the second I see a new upload I drop everything to watch it. Cheers on the awesome work Evan

[@ender7278]

It's great cuz that way every video feels like a welcome surprise. It's not a weekly service, it's a gift.

[@AsiniusNaso]

This sounds like a morality tale you’d see on the Twilight Zone. What a tragic story of innocence lost.

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

yeah watching drugs ruin lives and families is a real bummer. I've seen it over and over again. I'm glad I'm not about that life.

[@hook-x6f]

Pure evil stuff cocaine can be. Too bad it is so addictive and consequential because it does have a good buzz.

[@omeyehead7436]

Really glad to see the regular posts again. Always great content

[@fernandoalves689]

After 5 years watching your videos, it's amazing to see you in my country. Welcome to Portugal! There is a lot of amazing stories here to tell to the world.

[@TheTomBevis]

I had to comment about the last line of the closing screen. I had thought, several times during the video, that you were trying to teach people how to think for themselves. Thank you!

[@dionthorn]

I'm so glad your back bro. I always look forward to the next video.

[@wingshad0w00982]

Fun fact, while not as extreme, something like this has happened before (likely multiple times to be fair). Where I grew up a rum-runner ran aground in the 20’s one winter. The crew ‘vanished’ and everyone in town had at least one bottle.

[@fastinradfordable]

One bottle of booze gets you exactly nowhere

[@chrisb.7787]

@@fastinradfordable my car gets around 34mpg so I could get 10miles or so If it was high enough proof.

[@yoymate6316]

yeah, brazil had their own version of it in the 1980s with the wreck of solana star, a panamanian boat carrying multiple thousands of cans of premium quality weed. for quite some time after that, “da lata” (lit. from the can) became slang for “good” or “cool”

[@herzogsbuick]

Sounds like Bootlegger's Cove in Anchorage!

[@joehaughey688]

"Whiskey Galore"- true story of wrecked and pillaged ship in a Scottish isle. Novel by Compton McKenzie and great film. I may have misspelt McKenzie

[@matiasguardaredes]

Yes! I have been living in the Azores for 3 years and ever since I heard this story I thought that it was the perfect story for your channel. I hope you've enjoyed your stay in these beautiful islands

[@shawnhuk]

Seriously, I’ve spent the past two week watching all 149 episodes of Rare Earth and I’m dumbfounded by how well the whole series was/is. What an amazing perspective. Some episodes I had to gloss over, some episodes I couldn’t look away. I watched while I worked, I fell asleep watching in bed, some times had them on in the background while I drove. I looked forward to having a spare 9-12 minutes to watch an episode… now that I’m at the end, and I see how infrequently episodes come out now, I’m truly lost. Now what? How do I just go on watching … normal KZbin… 😩

[@scpatl4now]

I always look forward to the graphic at the end. Kata, I clap for you! That is quite the accomplishment!

[@vitorhfer]

For those wondering, Netflix just released a series about this case.

[@ivoferreira7711]

In english it is called turn of the tide if anyone is wondering 👍

[@mulsenhfk]

Rabo de peixe

[@austinpatch7585]

Freaking great episode Evan!!! Props to Bruno you get to meet the coolest people on your travels Evan, great work

[@GrimmDelightsDice]

It is a kind day when Answer In Progress and Rare Earth both post after rewatching their entire backlogs

[@beeclair480]

When I was in uni I had a teacher tell this story. Aparently he was there for work and people there had more cocaine than what they knew what to do with. Acording to him, when you ordered a coffee they have you a side of cocaine with it for free. Anywho, I'm glad you told this story. While in uni I accidentally told this story to a friend of mine... Well she got massively insulted because apparently she was specifically from Rabo de Peixe.. Let's just say it got awekard real fast... turns out... I was right! and my teacher was right!! and there is no way she wouldn't have known it... XDD

[@dearhunter7206]

How can she get insulted by something that is true??

[@scottcantdance804]

Yes hello, police? I need to report that it looks like around 1900 lbs of cocaine have washed up... Sorry, did I say 1900? I meant 1800 lbs. You should come pick up this 1700 lbs of coke before bad guys come looking for their missing 1600 lbs...

[@marceloantunes998]

@@dearhunter7206 Have you never interected with a black person?

[@timcross2510]

@@scottcantdance804 , that is a great bit! I'm going to steal it...

[@pipeline8554]

@@marceloantunes998 bahahahaha

[@tfcooks]

This reminds me of the plane full of weed that crashed in the mountains above Yosemite. Apparently the park workers had a great summer that year. Also the story of a barge full of hash that half sank in the Sacramento delta and many of the locals used it to buy their houses and finance new local business around the area. I even used to get some of that hash.

[@newperve]

Didn't they go through the trail mix though.

[@LadyAnuB]

I never heard about this hash barge. Do you remember the year? It was 1985 when my family houseboated on the Delta.

[@tfcooks]

@@LadyAnuB Hi. I think it got stranded in the late 70s. I was getting it in the early/mid 80s but by then it was getting old and crumbly and had some mold in some if it. But it still worked.

[@LadyAnuB]

@@tfcooks So it grounded when I was a kid

[@westho7314]

I remember that plane crash in Yosemite having lived in the area back then. Knew a few rock climbers that scaled the walls to get rich quick, or so they thought. Most the bundles were completely saturated by plane's fuel making it useless. Dumbasses smoked it anyway was street bunk quality likely laced with the chemical called paraquat/

[@marklindsey4668]

Such an amazing tale of a small fishing village. I'm Born and raised on an island with many small fishing villages, that have curious stories to tell. This story is heavy. I met another fisherman from North Carolina, who told of he and his friends fishing for " Square Grouper" in the early 70's. Giant bales of marijuana washed overboard from boats from Mexico and SA.

[@ricardopaulino4204]

Estas a falar de mais

[@trenthink]

@@ricardopaulino4204 langosta blanco…

[@808v1]

Appreciate the content flowing again!

[@marcoruizcalva9704]

as long as you post videos im going to watch them

[@oluwaseunajia]

I like before watching 😁

[@dontquestionjustbelieve5757]

Your videos are always such a joy to watch, thank you!

[@GuntherRommel]

Evan, Kata, this was a lovely episode. Thank you for making it.

[@brettkenyon4679]

Well done achieving a gold medal Kata Hadfield! Awesome effort. Great video Evan.

[@amynicholecervantes3065]

I just stumbled upon your channel. Addicted! Your ability to educate and entertain is amazing. Sending much love from Kansas!

[@sptm5694]

hehe, addicted....hehheeh

[@oluwaseunajia]

Evan's a legend. I play the videos in background while I code. I have visited so many places and learnt a lot through his eyes.

[@HashSl1ng1ngSlasher]

"Rare Earth" indeed! While I enjoy your bigger vids, stories like this one are what I really love about this channel. Glad you're back.

[@ColoradoMotoAdventures]

this was put together quite well, just keep them coming and you will be at 10 million subs in no time

[@kiathekaf242]

Great video as always man, keep it up. Talking about things nobody talks about

[@michaelcherry8952]

It drives me crazy how this one incident changed the whole island so negatively. The falling dominoes went from a yacht in trouble to the Cosa Nostra funneling drugs through an area that they never even considered before. I swear, every time I think there's hope for the human race, we end up running of a cliff again. It's very discouraging, but it's important that we know these things. Hopefully, at some point, we will learn from these mistakes. I'm not holding my breath but I'm not giving up either. P.S. Congratulations Kata! Gold in the triathlon is an amazing achievement. You can't hear me all the way from Alberta, but believe me I'm clapping very hard. Well Done You!😄

[@DarkHarlequin]

The very fact that this happened so quickly on such a little impulse shows though that the system was already in place. Demand for drugs, poverty, unhappiness of the future users, naivitee towards drugs were already there. All that was missing was the link to a suply. That's why the 'war on drugs' doesn't really work. You're fighting the symptom not the disease. As long as demand for drugs exists there will be a market and as long as the economic structures to fuel the system exists removing supliers is just swapping parts. And the brutal truth of it all is that yes we find the victims and fallout of drugs horrible but we're not actually willing to chip away at the whole system we live in just to prevent it. Generally we prefer to just treat the symptoms a bit and pat ourselves on the back simply cause its much easier.

[@kgoblin5084]

@@DarkHarlequin "Demand for drugs, poverty, unhappiness of the future users, naivitee towards drugs were already there. " I actually don't fully buy the bit about naiveté towards drugs... if the population was really naïve then I don't think we would have the rapid onset of use, especially with a drug which is a white powder ingested by snorting or injection. People without prior exposure, regardless of ethics, would not have known what to do with it.

[@MolloyPolloy]

Cocaine has never positively impacted anyone's life. It's an absolute bastard of a drug. Everything it touches turns to shit.

[@scotttemple7844]

My 10-year-old son once asked me. Dad, why is cocaine illegal ? I said.. Because it's destroys people's lives. I hope he took that to ❤️

[@gordusmaximus4990]

To this day, the consequences are felt, there are people still around that are still recovering from this (some never did), it destroyed families, and today, despite already existing before this, drug use, skyrocked it and the island has problems with now sythatic drugs, because its cheaper.

[@troyclayton]

Thanks for the video and congratulations, Kata!

[@goncaloloureiro7958]

Netflix now has a new portuguese tv show about this story, called "Rabo de peixe" or "Turn of the tide"

[@filipetavares1902]

There is a new netflix show that uses this event as the main plot. "Turn the Tide", it´s the second Portuguese netflix show!

[@oluwaseunajia]

Love Azores. It's one of my best places in the world. Visited Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel - Furnas (Poca Da Dona Beija), Lagoa de Fogo and more. Outstanding splendor, it was the best time of my life.

[@RareEarthSeries]

I'm happy to hear you have such positive memories my man!

[@davidottley2739]

👏 -for Kata Hadfield. Wild story from the mouth of a brilliant storyteller. Thanks, Evan.

[@briangarrow448]

My father worked on the docks at a large pulp and paper mill complex on the Pacific coast. One day a group of Coast Guard, DEA and local police showed up to the docks and wanted access. Of course the bosses and the gang members were helpful. (Remember that on west coast docks, groups of longshoremen are called gangs.) The agents and Coasties thoroughly searched and inspected the entire area. They didn’t find anything, so they left empty handed. When my father got home after work, he joked that he wasn’t going to be able to retire early. He said his secondary income program had just imploded. We kids, all of us teens, busted out laughing. We all knew my dad was as straight line and square as a marine corps drill sergeant. We spent days afterwards joking about our lost chances to own new cars, take fancy vacations and light cigars with 100$ bills.

[@LadyAnuB]

This would've made for an interesting story amongst the summers spent in Reedsport, OR with my grandmother's sister and her husband fishing and going around the dunes along the coast.

[@kennethtan6403]

I Love your writing and narration. Thank you and much Love from the Philippines.

[@PlugJh]

The way u told this story is amazing!! Loved every word of it!!

[@AlterXephon]

I'm jealous of your presentation skills and videography, just from a technical standpoint you have some amazing talent, and the creativity just flows, I wish to one day be this good.

[@RareEarthSeries]

Thanks Tom I'm sure you will be!

[@Silquetoast]

Such a great video as always. Thank you for the rare content :3

[@4npushap352]

This is wild man . I live in the azores and listening to your last 2 videos on the azores was very entertaining. Thank you , looking forward to the rest .

[@richardperritt]

👏👏👏👏👏 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Congrats Kata! (Nice editing too. Oh and keep up the good videos, Evan and Francesco)

[@ArchFundy]

Sure glad to see you back on the road again. I really like the way you present a story.

[@Crowborn]

There's a very similar story in south Brazil near Ilha do Mel (Honey Island) where a ship called the Slow Burning jettisoned hundreds of metal cans all over the shore to try and avoid an imminent search. Its been decades but I was surprised to see wall murals with the SB painted on here and there! Definitely a local legend worth investigating more

[@andreluizbutzkedallacorte5242]

O verão da lata

[@Crowborn]

@@andreluizbutzkedallacorte5242 O VERÃO DA LATA!!!!

[@confkins]

Good video, always happy to see!

[@S.V.TeFiti]

same story happen to small atoll in South pacific... locals buried some in the sand before coast guard and then 2 weeks later the whole island of 600 turned to the hood, fights, thefts, and overdoses..

[@NarffetWerlz]

And yet, for a brief moment, the town was _very_ productive and exuberant, though quick and sudden to irritate.

[@Sierramaster]

Never thought id see my home island in this channel, enjoy your stay. Not many locals know about this

[@matthewstewart5113]

Thank you. So glad I found your channel years ago. A true teacher. 👍

[@diogor420]

For those wondering, Netflix just released a series Turn of The Tide about this case (AKA Rabo de Peixe in Portuguese)

[@Nobe_Oddy]

have ALWAYS wanted to visit the Azores.... but being that I'm only 5 years clean I might end up in a bad situation all over again.... so I think addiction would stop me from going there now... that and a HUGE LACK OF MONEY lol THIS WAS EXCELLENT!!! I am SOOOO GLAD I found your channel! You sure do put some class into KZbin. THANK YOU! :D

[@andrewtheanimenerd]

Congrats on getting clean

[@cyrustakem7993]

I think for visiting should be fine, açores is beautiful, you probably won't even be thinking of that while contemplating nature.

[@watson9897]

I live in North Carolina, about 15 years ago My buddy found 3 kilos on the beach. It was an amazing summer.

[@J.D.Shelnutt]

bs

[@jakedelizioso1434]

It would’ve lasted several summers

[@dindings]

Guy from the Canary islands, just a bit down below from the Azores. We are also on the stopover now too

[@djones6211]

Congrats Kata! 👏

[@Nono-hk3is]

Congratulations Kata!🥇

[@shmackedmuffins7948]

I though he was going to say producrivity increased 1000% in town that year.

[@marcouellette4671]

I turn 50 this year and have lost dozens of friends and family to drugs. I hate it.

[@anthonycox3493]

Wow i remember when kilos washed up on a beach in Norfolk England. A dog walker clocked it .

[@TherealDannyO]

Very well done!! I really liked this whole piece.

[@paulg3012]

In the 90's a boat loaded with cocaine wrecked off the North east coast of Jamaica, the area folks raided it . First the car lot and furniture stores were bought out then house invasions and arson started, it got ugly but some got big off the money.

[@Scrungii]

Clapped for Kata's triathlon in the living room. Congratulations!

[@BajaSurf]

fantastic production... incredible job...im hooked

[@chrislanejones]

This is the only video I have ever seen about the Azores Islands

[@pleasejustletmebeanonymous6510]

"The truest wisdom is never found in the binge but on the linoleum floor of the purge." A bit dark, but honestly a pretty great quote. 😂

[@bipolarspock6145]

That washes up on the beach here in Galveston all the time. Multiple times a month.

[@PoCrl]

"Eu não vou chorar... Esta vida... Não era para mim... Eu não vou chorar"

[@MrsLirs]

Update: there is now a series called rabo de peixe based on this occasion xD

[@keigezellig]

Amazing.. Just got back from Sao Miguel (and also visited Rabo de Peixe AND watched the Netflix series on the flight home 😉) but i never knew the complete story..

[@postRMO]

This is why I love coming back endlessly. Also gonna get a trim when I visit next summer.

[@snakkattakk]

I love the ad for Bruno's shop at the end, it's so adorable

[@robertreynolds8671]

2 comments. First, you ALWAYS look fabulous. Second, love having to click on the file of the comment section to help remind folks not to be jerks. Love your vids. Keep up the good work!

[@__alves_]

I think this is getting recommended because of the new Netflix serie talking exactly about this

[@Admythos]

Finding this channel was like finding a rare Tiffany lamp in a Goodwill second hand shop. It’s a gem. Keep it up

[@hellerado6901]

Glad you’re making videos again

[@tristantristancraped]

Been a big fan for awhile keep up the good work

[@Ewr42]

There's a similar story about Canned Weed washing up ashore in Brazil The story became known as Verão da Lata, or "summer of the can"

[@LobsterTales.]

Man your channel is absolute fire 🔥

[@9thEdits]

There is now a netflix series about this

[@SoulSukkur]

Congrats, Kata!

[@roots_operator]

Great video dude! Great explanation and great pronunciation nciation😁

[@6u6u7o]

Beautifully written. Thank you!

[@tiggercampbell6198]

thats why we call it more..when us drug addicts are craving " more" and feeling sick and anxious..its because our body thinks it will die without more..that was one of those ah hah moment for me..still struggling to stay clean..but every day that I can go without it is heaven sent ..just my belief..

[@joca1378]

I think the new Netflix series "Rabo de Peixe" is losely based on this event

[@spikelee5716]

Portuguese here, there are some crazy stories about this little incident xD Great video Rare Earth

[@raoulchapman7310]

These sorts of cool stories keep me assiduously searching beaches everywhere. And keep supporting this channel too 😎

[@cherier152]

Wow what a great story! I have to share this one with friends, what a legacy.

[@bea631]

There is now a Netflix show about this whole story, called Rabo de Peixe

[@bettyswallocks6411]

In 1941, the SS Politician ran aground on the coast of the Hebridean Island of Eriskay, Scotland, with a cargo of 24,000 bottles of malt whiskey. Much of it was illegally salvaged by islanders and never recovered by the authorities. Bottles made their way across most of the Hebrides and the records of Eriskay suggest that no agricultural production for the following year. The event was commemorated in the 1949 movie ‘Whiskey Galore’.

[@sachamcphedran6943]

That’s crazy. Thanks for sharing this story.

[@paulozhan]

Who's here after Netflix made a show about this?

[@Francisco-1179]

Eu

[@worldgonemad1152]

This situation took the drug problem on the island to the next level. To this day the effects are still being felt. The innocence of the island was lost that day .

[@fg3901]

Isla Santa Maria 60mi. away is still impacted too.

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

Incredible Did not know this at all... I watch many sailing channels on YT Some make it to Azores. None have mentioned this.

[@oncenterline]

Can't wait for the sequel of when that Spanish ship washed ashore with tons of kilos of Margherita pizza stuffed in its hull! Congrats Kata! :D

[@mr_dunne_author]

A load washed up in Norfolk a few years back too..

[@HiddenMis7]

If that type of thing happened to me the story would never get out

[@rhocat362]

This is without a doubt one of THE saddest things I 've seen online..

[@eduardoborges506]

And now there is an actual series about this xD

[@HerbertLandei]

I heard the story when I made vacation in Capelas, just down the road...

[@rexmann1984]

I wouldn't tell a soul.

[@fishsmell3939]

I would retire

[@k20nutz]

Unless you used it, then you'd get paranoid and or not shut up about it.

[@rexmann1984]

@@fishsmell3939 I can't believe people actually turned it in. WTF we're they thinking.

[@rexmann1984]

I would turn over a suitcase of money. Or try to find the owner. But coke? I ain't saying shit to nobody but the dude I'm selling it to.

[@fishsmell3939]

@@rexmann1984 lol

[@albevanhanoy]

What an absolutely incredible story I've never heard of.