Raid Nets 5,000 Pot Plants

[+RevThad]

LEO have been pretty busy the last couple days, with the raids down in Oakland County and from the sounds of it a big one up in the UP.

 

Daily Press Story

 

POSTED: August 26, 2010

 

IRON RIVER - More than 5,000 pot plants, with a street value of more than $5 million, were recently confiscated from a major marijuana grow operation in Iron County, announced drug detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) Wednesday.

 

UPSET has been looking into the pot-growing operation since May and completed the removal of the illegal plants on Wednesday, according to a news release issued by the agency.

 

The eradication of more than 5,200 pot plants was the result of local, state and federal officials working together in the Operation Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program, formerly known as Operation HEMP (Help Eliminate Marijuana Plants).

 

According to the press release, the marijuana operation in Iron County is very similar to and may be connected to a very large pot-growing operation in Wisconsin which the U.S. Forest Service has been investigating for several months.

 

Drug detectives stated the Iron County case involves local individuals and may involve suspects from out of the country.

 

"This type of operation puts more than just marijuana on the streets of local communities. It brings other drugs and violent crime to our area with this size of an operation," the news release stated. Arrests related to the investigation are pending.

 

Agencies involved in the Iron County investigation include UPSET, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Forest Service, Michigan State Police, and local police and sheriff's deputies. Also assisting were aircraft from the Civil Air Patrol, Michigan State Police, U.S. Coast Guard and the Michigan National Guard.

 

 

 

If these folks (LEO_ were serious about helping people, why not harvest, cure and distribute the mj to various municipal run dispensaries to help out low income patients. Hell, even with a small yield for outdoor plants, that would be over 625 pounds...

 

And in other news... perhaps a sign of things to come?

 

Chief Anthony Batts listed exactly 44 situations that his officers will no longer respond to and they include grand theft, burglary, car wrecks, identity theft and vandalism. He says if you live and Oakland and one of the above happens to you, you need to let police know on-line.

 

Here's a partial list:

 

 

•burglary

•theft

•embezzlement

•grand theft

•grand theft:dog

•identity theft

•false information to peace officer

•required to register as sex or arson offender

•dump waste or offensive matter

•discard appliance with lock

•loud music

•possess forged notes

•pass fictitious check

•obtain money by false voucher

•fraudulent use of access cards

•stolen license plate

•embezzlement by an employee (over $ 400)

•extortion

•attempted extortion

•false personification of other

•injure telephone/ power line

•interfere with power line

•unauthorized cable tv connection

•vandalism

•administer/expose poison to another's

 

Ah got to love their priorities.... What say you?

 

Edited to add that Chief Batts is in Oakland California...