In the past few years, the demand for Pokemon cards–like most collectible cards–has skyrocketed, as has the rise of scalpers and theft. In most instances with these massive stolen hauls, they’re recovered and the suspect arrested, much like a recent story of a man in the UK getting caught with a stolen cache of cards worth £250,000 (approx. $332,500).
The stolen haul was discovered after Greater Manchester Police raided a home in Hyde, Tameside, which is on the outskirts of Greater Manchester. Booster packs were still in their original bags, with some of the individual graded cards worth up to £560 (approx. $744).
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Images via Tameside Police
“An interesting warrant in Hyde yesterday morning, supported by your Neighbourhood policing teams,” the statement from Tameside Police reads. “Seizure of thousands of stolen, high-value Pokemon cards with an estimated worth of over £250,000. Attempts will now be made to return the cards to the original owners. One male arrested. Gotta catch ’em All.”
This might be one of the biggest hauls ever, even surpassing the case that happened in October of last year. Two men were arrested under suspicion of stealing Magic the Gathering and Pokemon cards totaling $150,000 in value from a game store, though a portion was later recovered.
