Police Seize High-Grade Marijuana Plants In Belmont

[MiMedical]

BELMONT, Mich. (WZZM) - Police raided an elaborate marijuana growing operation in Belmont today, confiscating 66 mature plants and a high-tech churn used to make marijuana butter.

Today's raid occurred on Herrington Avenue NE, just north of the Consolata Missionary Sisters Convent off of Belmont Avenue.The aroma of freshly-harvested marijuana hung in the air as officers from the multi-jurisdictional Metropolitan Enforcement Team loaded plants into a white pickup truck.

"We found mature plants growing in two buildings,'' said MET commander Lt. Steven Rau. "A third building is under construction as a possible growing site.''

No charges have been filed against the homeowner pending review by the Kent County Prosecutor's Office.

The wood-frame house sits on a hill a few hundred yards from a housing development at the corner of Belmont and Herrington.

Police began investigating about two week ago, Rau said. It is the third such growing operation in the Grand Rapids' area raided by police in recent weeks.

Officers used duct tape to bundle uprooted marijuana plants measuring between 4 and 6-feet tall. High-tech grow lights, power ballasts, hydroponic growing systems and dozens of vermiculite-filled pots were scattered across the yard as officers took inventory.

Police also found marijuana butter inside the home and seized an elaborate "butter churn'' on wheels used to extract oils from marijuana plants. "It's one of the more sophisticated pieces of equipment I've seen,'' Rau said.

Each mature plant can produce up to one pound of marijuana, with a street value of between $3,000 and $4,000 a plant, Rau said.

He described the plants as "high-grade'' marijuana with a THC level of more than 30 percent. THC is the active ingredient responsible for marijuana's psychoactive or mood-altering effects.

Conventional marijuana plants usually have a THC level of between 1 and 20 percent.

"We are seeing a much higher quality in the marijuana being grown,'' Rau said. "It is far more potent that what we saw 20 years ago.''

 

http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/plainfield/2014/05/01/marijuana-bust/8563715/

 

 

 

I was unaware they had a Field test kit that will tell you the % of THC in a plant..

"He described the plants as "high-grade'' marijuana with a THC level of more than 30 percent."

Rau, C'mon now..Please tell us your secrets on harvesting a pound a plant..

"Each mature plant can produce up to one pound of marijuana"

[bobandtorey]

It is sad that Leo can test it but still not be able to see what is inside of a brownies 

[t-pain]

that 30% comes from how much thc is in one gram.

so if they are able to figure out how much thc is in one gram of marijuana they can find out how much thc is in one gram of brownie.

 

not that any of that matters. there is no difference in crime between 'high grade' or '$4000 per plant' or 'more thna 30% thc' and any regular marijuana plant. thats all just propaganda to make themselves look good i guess.

[Restorium2]

There's goes all your credibility when you state THC percentage by eyeball.

[bobandtorey]

that 30% comes from how much thc is in one gram.

so if they are able to figure out how much thc is in one gram of marijuana they can find out how much thc is in one gram of brownie.

 

not that any of that matters. there is no difference in crime between 'high grade' or '$4000 per plant' or 'more thna 30% thc' and any regular marijuana plant. thats all just propaganda to make themselves look good i guess.

 Yup thats how i see it also but we all know it's the propaganda that they are after i see things getting more heated up soon 

[bobandtorey]

There's goes all your credibility when you state THC percentage by eyeball.

 

[phaquetoo]

we are getting better quality michigan made mmj, 

 

Good Job MI Growers!

 

Peace

[Hayduke]

all the state police can test for is gross weight and presence of thc.... that is right from the MSP...

 

to make comments about thc level right after a bust is grandstanding... not evidence based....

[Chauncy Gardner]

This all sounds like the "perp" was within limits, no? No charges filed? They took everything anyway? This person had better keep a copy of the LEO's price estimate of each plant so that they can have a basis for recouping destroyed property when the charges get dropped.

[motorcitymeds]

30% more propaganda...this shiiyat gets more retarded the more I read it.  These drug cops must be really feeling the pressure ...if they are reduced to spewing outright BS and trying to fueld their own job security.

 

Amazsing what these clowns come up with.  The reality is that very few people are gropwing plants the are yielding a pound off a 2 week vegg and 2 months flower.  But hey some grandpa and grandma are reading this BS buying into this propaganda.

Edited May 2, 2014 by motorcitymeds

[trichcycler]

historically these cops have been excited at the fantasy of discovering higher and higher thc levels in marijuana, and love to compare it to the supposed low thc of yesteryear. cowboys baby

[Lancy]

I'm missing something.  What was the reason for the raid?  Doesn't there have to be just cause?  Is it just harassment?  They know that if eventually there is no arrest, they've destroyed his grow.  On television it looked very professional (not the raid - the grow).  Unless he was growing more plants than allowed by the state, the raid reminds me of gestapo tactics.  Doesn't seem right that we can follow the law of the State of Michigan, pay all the required fees, and then have to worry about the doors coming down.

[motorcitymeds]

real question is not the amount of plants ...but how did these cops get probably cause for a warrant to even proceed with the raid..?  smell alone os not probably cause in a medical state.

 

 

Sounds like rambo drug cops to me.....

 

 

 

OVER TIME $$$$$$

Edited May 2, 2014 by motorcitymeds

[Wild Bill]

I don't ever remember hearing of a raid that netted " a small quantity of low grade marijuana".

[Restorium2]

I knew this had a familiar ring to it. Belmont again. This has got to be connected to the cops with butter caper;

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/03/three_of_four_busted_kent_coun.html

[trichcycler]

spot on I think, good catch !

all this butter eating I'd think these patients would have been bigger people...

I knew this had a familiar ring to it. Belmont again. This has got to be connected to the cops with butter caper;

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/03/three_of_four_busted_kent_coun.html

[Restorium2]

spot on I think, good catch !

all this butter eating I'd think these patients would have been bigger people...

The consumers were jail inmates. I wonder if that will ever make it to the light of day?

[AmishRnot4ganja]

I knew this had a familiar ring to it. Belmont again. This has got to be connected to the cops with butter caper;

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/03/three_of_four_busted_kent_coun.html

Okay. Now the lights are on. I'll bet that is what this is all about.

[+washtenaut]

I think it is nice of the police to over value the plants that they destroyed.  Then, in cases where the police wrongfully arrested the individual, there can be no quibbling about the value of the reimbursement the police must pay to the victim. 

[phaquetoo]

The consumers were jail inmates. I wonder if that will ever make it to the light of day?

Say huh?

 

Peace

[solabeirtan]

Check out the "Multijurisdictional [FEDerall] jackboot "spitshined shoes 00:20

High tec butter churn? Possibly they meant this trimmer that appears at 00:55