In an unexpected development, law enforcement agencies in Greater Manchester have reportedly seized a remarkable collection of stolen Pokémon cards, with an astonishing total value reaching £250,000. This operation has led to the arrest of an individual believed to be involved in the theft.
As detailed by BBC News, a police representative humorously remarked on the situation, stating, “Gotta catch ’em all ;),” a nod to both the seriousness of the case and the playful spirit of the Pokémon community.
A striking feature of this operation is that many cards still bear their original price tags, a fortunate detail that law enforcement hopes will facilitate the process of reuniting these valuable collectibles with their rightful owners.
Among the highlights of this impressive stash are graded individual cards which command high prices in the market. For instance, a shiny Silver Tempest Lugia V is valued at £560, while a shiny Team Rocket Dark Charizard holds a worth of £350. Additionally, a shiny Japanese McDonald’s Pikachu promo card is valued at £450. The scale of this incident underscores not just the fervent demand for Pokémon collectibles but also the significant risks tied to their ownership.
Through a message posted on Facebook, Tameside police from Greater Manchester elaborated on the context: “An interesting warrant in Hyde yesterday morning, supported by your neighbourhood policing teams. Seizure of thousands of stolen, high-value Pokémon cards with an estimated worth of over £250k. Attempts will now be made to return the cards to the original owners. One male arrested. Gotta catch ’em all ;)”
In a serendipitous coincidence, this week heralded the return of Pokémon cards to McDonald’s locations across the UK, with a fresh focus on Dragon-type characters for this year’s promotion. This annual event has captured the hearts of many enthusiasts, prompting some fans to purchase multiple Happy Meals in a quest to secure the highly sought-after cards. Consequently, certain McDonald’s outlets have had to implement buy limits to discourage scalping practices.
Given the resurgence of interest in collectibles, some might ponder the practicality of transitioning toward digital trading cards. The Pokémon TCG Pocket’s latest Sun and Moon expansion presents a contemporary option for avid fans looking to engage in Pokémon battles without the complications associated with physical card collections.
