Wild opossums freed after being found inside suspicious vehicle, California cops say

Deputies investigating a vehicle illegally parked in a wildfire evacuation warning zone found a surprise inside — opossums taken from the wild, California deputies reported.

The bizarre encounter unfolded in the Mount Baldy and San Antonio Heights areas at 2:26 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.

Deputies patrolling the area, under an evacuation warning for the Bridge Fire, contacted a 32-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, both of Ontario, in the vehicle, officials said.

Deputies found fentanyl and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, along with the opossums, which were released back into the wild, officials said.

The two were arrested on misdemeanor drug charges, deputies said.

Detectives ask anyone with information to call 909-356-6767.

The Bridge Fire has burned more than 49,008 acres and threatens more than 1,000 structures, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. It is 0% contained.

This story was originally published September 12, 2024 at 12:08 PM with the headline "Wild opossums freed after being found inside suspicious vehicle, California cops say."