British Columbia has abruptly reversed course on its landmark experiment decriminalizing the possession of certain illicit drugs, citing mounting public frustration and “disorder” in the Canadian province.
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Welcome to this week’s edition of “Weird and Wacky Wednesdays,” where we delve into tales so bizarre, they seem ripped from a dark comedy sketch rather than news headlines. We look at a rather macabre theme linking disparate parts of the globe: grave robbing. It’s hard to rest in peace anywhere these days.
First, we journey to Peru, where ancient mummies aren’t just resting in peace but are being hawked as aliens! In Peru’s Nazca region, known for its ancient geoglyphs and archaeological significance, grave robbers like Leandro Rivera have been exploiting local legends and alien myths to market looted mummies as extraterrestrial beings.
Rivera, who was convicted in 2022 for unearthing pre-Hispanic artifacts including human remains with elongated heads, claimed these were evidence of alien life. This marketing angle has not only fueled international curiosity but also a black market thirsty for such extraordinary finds.
These activities have cast a spotlight on the ongoing struggle to protect Peru’s cultural heritage from plunder. Despite significant efforts by the Peruvian Culture Ministry, including the formation of an anti-smuggling unit and increased monitoring at international borders, grave robbers continue to smuggle hundreds of artifacts out of the country. Rivera himself admitted to removing as many as 200 sets of remains, with some ending up in countries like France, Spain, and Russia.
The demand for these so-called alien relics is exacerbated by online black markets, where anonymity and a global reach enable the sale of looted items more easily than ever before.
Next Sierra Leone, we shift from science fiction to zombies, where the undead aren’t rising, but their bones are being ground into a “zombie” drug. Sierra Leone is facing a severe public health crisis as addicts unearth graves to extract human bones used in the production of a potent psychoactive drug known as “kush.”
This disturbing trend prompted President Julius Maada Bio to declare a national emergency, with grave robbing for zombie drug production becoming a significant concern due to the demand for this drug. “Kush,” which includes ground-up human bones among its ingredients, delivers a hypnotic high and has led to a surge in drug-related fatalities and health issues.
To combat this crisis, the government has initiated several measures including the deployment of police officers to guard cemeteries and the establishment of a task force aimed at eradicating the drug. This task force’s efforts encompass setting up rehabilitation centers in every district, staffed by trained professionals, to support and treat individuals with drug addiction. However, the country’s main rehabilitation facility, hastily established in an army training center, has been criticized for its inadequate facilities.
Finally, in Melbourne, the dead are not safe from the living, especially if they’re wearing expensive jewelry. A plot twist worthy of a gangster film, in a bold act that marks a new low in Melbourne’s underworld conflicts, a mausoleum at Preston General Cemetery was desecrated during a targeted theft.
The incident involved the grave of Meshilin Marrogi, sister of convicted murderer and drug importer George Marrogi. On the early morning of July 30, 2023, thieves stole a diamond ring from Meshilin’s corpse, a crime believed to be aimed at causing distress to her brother.
The theft, carried out by two men dressed in gas masks and dark clothing, was captured on CCTV. Investigators have linked the suspects to a criminal syndicate involved in a series of arson attacks on tobacco shops across Melbourne. The operation appears to be orchestrated by a high-level criminal directing activities from overseas, intensifying the ongoing war between rival syndicates.
Detectives have now issued a new appeal for information, releasing details about a dark Mini Cooper seen in the vicinity of the cemetery around the time of the robbery.
Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 293 Read More »
This week we look at the never-ending race of trying to outsmart machines and building smarter machines. These stories showcase the dance between the craftiness of individuals and the march of the technology which is designed to counteract or manage such behaviour.
Weird and Wacky Wednesdays Volume: 289 Read More »
When it comes to our WWW stories, common sense often takes a back seat. Our stories this week push beyond the boundaries of public decency and leave onlookers and authorities in disbelief. I’m again reminded that the world is full of surprises, some more shocking than others, and disturbing things can unfold in the places we frequent every day.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 287 Read More »
As Christmas approaches, it’s not just Santa who’s keeping an eye on who’s been naughty or nice. This week, we explore three stories that could easily land on Santa’s notorious naughty list. From a teacher’s controversial revelation about Santa Claus to a deceitful burglary report dressed in Grinch attire, and a disruptive incident at a Christmas parade, these tales from England and the U.S. highlight the unexpected and sometimes unsettling events that can occur during the festive season.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 276 – Christmas Naughty List EditionRead More »
Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 276 – Christmas Naughty List Edition Read More »
I am often attacked on social media for purportedly “keeping drunk drivers on the road.” It’s a little tiring but also consistent with the new more toxic world of social media. It seems some people are simply unwilling to turn their minds to the fact that innocent people are regularly arrested for DUI. This week we’re going to look at some of the tremendously stupid wrongful DUI arrests recently reported. In one case, my close friend Sarah Schielke secured another significant settlement for one her clients that has helped pay for her building. In another, the police have sued the driver they wrongly arrested. In the third the police admitted on camera that the off-duty firefighter was sober but they arrested him for DUI anyway.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 275 Read More »
Lawyers get themselves into all sorts of trouble. Lawyers are people, going about their days, who are certainly not perfect. And lawyers lead interesting and complex lives because of their particular position in society, bringing them into contact with different people all of the time. And of course, there are conflicts. Most lawyers decided on that career path to do good things for society. The field also attracts narcissists – this is well studied, who may wish to prey on others.
It’s an unusual life, being a lawyer. Bearing all of this in mind, it simply makes sense that there are so many TV shows about lawyers. But truth is stranger than fiction and life is often weirder than art. This week we have three weird and wacky stories about lawyers in the news.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 274 Lawyers EditionRead More »
Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 274 Lawyers Edition Read More »
In the peculiar world of food-related legal disputes, the line between genuine grievances and frivolous lawsuits can often blur. This week’s tales highlight cases where consumers have turned to the courts over what they perceive as deception or outright negligence by well-known food companies. From an oversized burger portrayal to misleading cooking instructions, and a shocking discovery in a salad, these stories delve into the curious and sometimes grotesque outcomes of fast-food consumption in the digital era, where social media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and legal action.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 273 Read More »
This week’s collection of peculiar tales takes us into the world of slumber, but not the kind you’d expect. Each story unfolds a scenario where sleep, or the lack thereof, leads to unexpected and bizarre situations. From a burglar’s unintended nap during a heist, not being able to get a good nights sleep, to competitors in a contest who turn lying down into an endurance sport, these narratives reveal the quirky ways sleep (or its semblance) can turn everyday occurrences into extraordinary events. Let’s dive into these unusual tales of rest and relaxation gone awry.
…Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 272 Read More »
From the bizarre to the serendipitous, the world often surprises us with stories of lost items and unexpected occurrences. This week, we delve into three such tales, each highlighting the peculiar nature of loss and discovery. From lost skulls, expensive tools floating away and absent people, these stories capture the essence of how sometimes what is lost can lead to extraordinary outcomes or unveil hidden truths.
Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume 271 Read More »
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