DEA launches emoji drug decoder

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WIAT) – The Drug Enforcement Administration has released a guide to the “emoji drug code” which the agency says may help provide readers with “a better idea of ​​how emojis can be used in conjunction with activity illegal drug “.

The guide, published in December on the DEA website, “decodes” various emojis, small digital icons commonly used in online and phone messaging.

“The Drug Enforcement Administration is aware of drug trafficking organizations that use emojis to buy and sell counterfeit pills and other illicit drugs on social media and through e-commerce,” says a document accompanying the guide.

Among the “decoded” symbols are a snowflake emoji for cocaine, a diamond emoji for methamphetamine and a maple leaf, which the agency says is “universal for drugs.”

Below is the full emoji drug decoder.

“Emojis, on their own, shouldn’t be indicative of illegal activity, but coupled with a change in behavior, change in appearance, or significant loss / increase in income should be a reason to start an important conversation.” , indicates the document.