Amaya Toman Collin Riley Howard, an 18-year-old student at the University of Santa Cruz, created a seemingly innocent app called Banana Plug last year. The purported game, subtitled "We've got what you want," appeared on the surface as if it were actually about connecting cartoon bananas and plugs. But in reality it was used to distribute marijuana, cocaine and other prohibited substances. At the time of writing, the app is still freely available in the App Store.
The Banana Plug application was even promoted by flyers and posters placed around the campus of the university. As part of the investigation, one of the HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) agents ordered marijuana and cocaine through Banana Plug, and the subsequent arrangement with the dealer took place through the Snapchat application. In addition to the mentioned substances, the agent also ordered more than five grams of methamphetamine.
The investigation resulted in the February 15 arrest of Collin Riley Howard. In addition to cocaine and methamphetamine, the app advertised items called Molly and Shrooms, and encouraged customers to make "special requests" for other controlled substances.
Banana Plug is described in the App Store as a game featuring bananas and plugs The player's task is to clear the screen of all bananas. How customers interacted with dealers through the app was not publicly disclosed. Apparently, however, the communication took place via special functions that are no longer active in the application. The application appeared in the App Store last October, the last update was in November.
It is not yet clear how the application successfully passed Apple's approval process. Apple does not approve apps for its App Store that encourage the consumption of tobacco products, illegal drugs, or large amounts of alcohol. It is also not clear whether Apple has already been informed about the case. The company has not yet commented on the matter.
Howard faces a minimum of five years in prison and a $5 million fine.
Source: AppleInsider
