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Take Two

How Tide detergent became a hot commodity in the drug trade

By Take Two Staff
Published Jan 9, 2013
Tide laundry detergent, made by Procter & Gamble Co., is seen on display at the Arguello Supermarket January 28, 2005 in San Francisco.
Tide laundry detergent, made by Procter & Gamble Co., is seen on display at the Arguello Supermarket January 28, 2005 in San Francisco.
(
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
)

Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.

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How Tide detergent became a hot commodity in the drug trade

One thing the cartels aren't dealing yet is laundry detergent, but they may start. U.S. law enforcement officials have noticed a curious trend of Tide detergent being used to buy drugs

That's right, the same soap that is tough on stains is now being traded for pot or crack. This story broke last year when there was a rash of Tide thefts across the country.

This week, New York Magazine profiled Sergeant Aubrey Thompson, one man who's been investigating this strange crime wave. He's the head of the Organized Retail Crime Unit for Prince George County Police in Maryland.