cannabisnews.com: Drug Bust Controversy Continues in Tulia 





Drug Bust Controversy Continues in Tulia 
Posted by FoM on November 09, 2000 at 21:29:49 PT
By David Stevens, Reuters
Source: Washington Post 
Allegations of racism and police conspiracy have swirled like the West Texas wind around this small farming town since a mass drug bust locked up an estimated 10 percent of the small African American population. As civil rights activists see it, a small-town sheriff listed more than three dozen black Americans as "undesirables" and plotted their arrests to remove them from Tulia. Groups including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP allege the sheriff enlisted the help of a rogue undercover narcotics cop, who fabricated evidence and supplied false trial testimony. 
Then a series of mostly white juries, believing they were doing their part in the war on drugs, sent the accused off to prison for dealing cocaine.Whether their accusations are true is far from clear. But Tulia, a predominantly white and Hispanic community of about 4,500 people 430 miles west of Dallas, has become a rallying point for civil rights activists looking to spur change in the nation's drug laws."I think ultimately race played a factor in what happened, but this cuts deeper than race," said Jeff Blackburn, an ACLU lawyer from Amarillo, 75 miles north of Tulia, who filed a civil rights lawsuit in September against Swisher County and those involved in the drug sting."This cuts down to the very attitude people have toward justice in this country, an attitude that we've allowed to be suspended when drugs are involved. That, to me, is a big problem," Blackburn said.Last month, the ACLU joined the NAACP and a New York civil rights legal group in filing a formal complaint asking the Justice Department to investigate whether the Tulia arrests violated civil rights.The story began to unfold in January 1998 when Swisher County Sheriff Larry P. Stewart hired veteran law officer Tom Coleman to conduct an undercover operation aimed at reducing illegal drug sales in the Tulia area.Eighteen months later, in July 1999, 43 suspects--all but three of them black--were arrested in connection with the probe. More than 20 were ultimately convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few years to more than 400 years for one man with a prior conviction. Others were sentenced to probation.The racial fire was fueled when Blackburn and others alleged that Coleman offered little physical evidence to back up his claims that he was able to buy small amounts of powder cocaine from suspects--with no videotapes, audio tapes, photographs or other means of corroboration.Law officers and others questioned Coleman's credibility during testimony at one of the trials. But he also had supporters in the law enforcement community and has won a law enforcement award in the past year for his work in Tulia.Coleman, who no longer works in Swisher County, has declined interview requests. But in court documents filed on Nov. 1, he denied fabricating evidence, providing false testimony and other allegations made against him by Blackburn.Stewart, District Attorney Terry McEachern and others involved in the operation have repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Stewart has specifically denied that he had a list of local blacks whom he considered "undesirable," as Blackburn's lawsuit alleges.Many Tulia residents have supported the law officers and the anti-drug operation. "Larry Stewart is straight as an arrow," said Gordon Scott, a retired surgeon who has lived in Tulia for about 15 years. "He is a fine Christian man. He is not prejudiced. He is trustworthy. He was just doing his job."Others in the community have questions."When we saw in the paper that 43 people had been arrested in Tulia for selling drugs, my wife said, 'Who are they selling them to?' " said the Rev. Charles Kiker, a retired Baptist preacher. "It seemed kind of far-fetched there would be a drug problem of that proportion in a community where people still don't lock their houses."Kiker said some of those arrested probably were drug users and some may have been "trapped" into selling drugs to the undercover officer. "They were not 'drug dealers,' " he said.But Scott said he has no trouble believing authorities. He said he knows a teenage girl in town who was approached by a drug dealer but refused to make a purchase."He said, 'If you tell anybody, I will kill you,' " Scott said. "This kind of thing has happened to a number of students. These are dangerous dudes."Some of those imprisoned as a result of the undercover operation pleaded guilty to charges against them. Others were convicted at trial."I can't claim to have any detailed knowledge about what went on in a jury room," Scott said, "but our [church] choir director's wife was on a jury. From what she told her husband, they took their jobs very seriously and felt convinced the individual was guilty as charged."Scott said he believes Tulia drug dealers were also making sales in Amarillo, Plainview and other area communities, not just in the county. And he said a lot of the controversy around the case has been caused by people who do not live in Tulia."The Kunstler group has had representatives in here . . . fanning the flames, I suspect," he said, referring to the William Moses Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice, founded in memory of the flamboyant civil rights lawyer who died in 1995.Randy Credico of the New York-based group said he had been in the area about two months and planned to stay "until this plays out.""What's happened there should cause alarm to everyone," he said. "If this guy [Coleman] can put people in prison on a mass scale, if he can do that without any eyewitnesses other than himself, that's the kind of crap that went on in Soviet Russia in the '30s that we all rail against."Source: Washington Post (DC) Author: David Stevens, ReutersPublished: Friday , November 10, 2000 ; Page A16 Address: 1150 15th Street NorthwestWashington, DC 20071© 2000 The Washington Post Company Contact: letterstoed washpost.comWebsite: http://www.washingtonpost.com/Feedback: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm Related Articles & Web Sites:A.C.L.U.http://www.aclu.org/N.A.A.C.P.http://www.naacp.org/Justice Department To Probe Tulia Bust http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7472.shtmlACLU Head Meets with Tulia Residentshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7413.shtmlNAACP, ACLU To File Complaint http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7338.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Tulia:http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=tulia
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #26 posted by freedom fighter on November 13, 2000 at 22:25:12 PT
Why is it worth the risk?
A simple plantMore of the population does that,How can we possibly stop this?Never! So, dddd, I understand how you do feel, just however, find yourself 10 seeds and throw them outside, preferably front of the so called law enforcement buildings! :)) (Just dress up like an old woman who want to contribute plants to the government!) Peace be with you my friend!
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #25 posted by dddd on November 13, 2000 at 18:16:36 PT
tell no one
 Kanabys advise is wise.You should not tell anyone.(I trust my dog though).If you dont get snitched on,and experience a home invasion bust,then someone will probably try to steal them. I can understand FreedomFighter saying it's worth the risk,,but nowdays,with all the brutal and crazed law enforcers,and the absurdity of forfiture,I'm gonna wait till it's legal....dddd
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #24 posted by freedom fighter on November 13, 2000 at 17:06:43 PT
Thanks Kanabys and all!
I agree with you about not telling anybody. And that is the hardest job in growing cannabis. I have several growing experiences myself. It is hard. One should not grow if cannot keep to him/herself. As far as I can see, these cops did not know I was growing one. They were mainly after my son because someone told on him. They were after so called "hard drugs" only to be disappointed to find just one simple plant. What so sad about it is that when I show my plant to a friend or two, they would light up and smile the biggest smile ever. They all would say," It is a beautiful plant." Thanks to all of you for the support. I would not know who to talk to and you guys/gals are the best! I will not give up fighting and I will grow them again! I ask myself if it was worth it growing one simple plant. In truth, I must answer this astounding YES! It cost the state of Colorado $1800 for overtime salaries for these assholes. It is a wake up time. Do this to a deaf person for growing just ONE PLANT, it is a mockery of JUSTICE, FREEDOM!
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #23 posted by Kanabys on November 13, 2000 at 16:19:38 PT
I feel for ya man....
Those sorry assed narcopigs!! They should all BURN IN HELL!The only way that you can grow and not get all of whats left of your freedom shredded is not to tell anyone that you are growing. Not even your dog or your cat. You can trust no one, I repeat, NO ONE AT ALL. If I grew, which I don't due to circumstances just like yours, NO ONE would know; not my family or my pets and especially not my "friends". I'm sorry but the narcopigs have driven us to this point. Freedom Fighter, keep fightin the good fight and we will win and they will BURN for their warcrimes. Peace to ya man....
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #22 posted by freedom fighter on November 11, 2000 at 14:05:55 PT
Does anyone knows
of a doctor in Colorado that can help me? Amend. 20 does not require doctors to give prescriptions. I agree with you that I need to get one to check me up. I do have a terrible back pains on daily basis. My last three discs on my spine are out of place. I do not like pills for headaches or back pains at all. Rarely take them. I also really want to quit smoking tobacco. I am sorry to be the bearer of the bad news but it needs to be told. It is very easy to try shut a deaf person's mouth up. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. My son is a non violent kid who loves life. Sure, he did got into trouble but he does not do hard drugs   all. These people who pretend to be protecting children actually do not care if one or two gets killed for being a snitch. We all know that they know. From my deaf view point, one dead child for being a snitch shows that the war on drugs a complete failure. 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #21 posted by FoM on November 11, 2000 at 11:40:56 PT
Good Luck Freedom fighter
Your welcome freedom fighter,It really is hard to hear when one of the people that you know gets busted like you. Have you thought of making an appointment with your Doctor to talk to him about Amendment 20? If a person gets busted in my state there already is a medical use provision on the books but it has never been used because they aren't serious about marijuana busts here thank goodness. Eradication is all they do unless a person gets too brazen which happened a couple times around here this year.If the police want hard drugs and want your son to snitch don't they get that his life could be put in danger? People have and will kill if they fear a long prison sentence. We've read about it over and over again. I remember one young person was asked to inform on a Meth operation because he got caught using Meth and he was killed during the sting. That was on CBS, ABC or MSNBC a year or so ago.PS: I haven't found any good news today. I'm looking but it is really slow and when and if I find something interesting I'll post it. Thought I'd mention it here too. I mentioned it on another thread.
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #20 posted by freedom fighter on November 11, 2000 at 11:22:09 PT
Thanks FoM
Never have I come across a site that is so truthful. That site is yours! I told the cops that the amend. 20 is in effect and they said oh really, you mean to tell me you grew a plant after the law was in effect? Mainly, I said nothing. Word for word, "We do not want you, we want your son!" I will be careful of what I write out here. They can try to use it but it then will be a consitituional issue. The handcuffs were too tight and it hurts my right wrist now. I never want anybody to go thru this. It is really crazy. Many thanks to all of you who took the time to communicate.God bless you all
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #19 posted by freedom fighter on November 11, 2000 at 11:05:45 PT
Today
I would like take a moment of silence for this one simple plant. It feels like if someone murder someone in my family.I am heartbroken over this simple beautiful plant. The plant had given me so much. Fresh air, the smell of the plant in my room. In its short 12 weeks of life, I will always remember this short 3ft bushy plant that gave so many smiles. May she rest in peace. 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #18 posted by legalizeit on November 11, 2000 at 08:36:31 PT
Here's to Colorado's (ahem) finest.
since you jackbooted pigs are apparently reading this site, I ask you this,Why are you so obsessed over one plant? Even the pig who was trying to get the kid to snitch said he was only interested in hard drugs. With all the real crimes against people out there, many going unsolved, (including one high-profile case in your state), how can you justify wasting your and the legal system's resources going after and messing up the life of a deaf person who just happens to be cultivating a plant?A natural plant should not only be legal, we should have a God-given right to grow or possess it. In a country that was supposedly founded on religious principles, why is a plant created by GOD HIMSELF outlawed and villified?I realize that you don't make the laws, only enforce them, but you, the police force, have the ability to direct your resources towards crimes that really have an impact on society and people's person and effects, yet you choose to continue to waste them on people growing, possessing and selling what amounts to plant matter and other chemical compunds which people only use in the privacy of their oen homes. And your officers' apparent attempt to be judge and jury, based on how much the gardener's son snitches on others, is a slimy and conniving scheme worthy of reprehension.I used to have respect for the police, but now that many if not most of you have become sick, twisted and corrupted under prohibition, I only fear you. What used to be a democracy is now fast progessing to a virtual authoritarian society, with government, especially the police, getting more and more intrusive into people's personal lives.The Plant brings peace, relaxation, healing and religious insight into the lives of most if not all who partake of it. The recreational drug you and the government have chosen for us, alcohol, brings stupidity, violence and death to those who use it unwisely, which is not hard to do.Our country was a much better place before prohibition, and it will be an even greater place once prohibition goes into the history books as Alcohol Prohibition has.In the meantime, dear uniformed thugs, please direct your efforts towards protecting people from violent criminals, not towards a crazed policy of protecting people from a plant!
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #17 posted by FoM on November 10, 2000 at 17:11:34 PT
That's sad
freedom fighter, I just read this thread. I am so sorry. Amendment 20 passed won't that help you? Are they really going to push hard for one plant? It doesn't make sense to me. Hang in there and keep us informed. Do be careful with what you say if they are reading this web site. They might think these news articles are lies but we know that they aren't and the truth will prevail.Peace, FoM!
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #16 posted by freedom fighter on November 10, 2000 at 16:21:50 PT
Strange but 
a true story. Yesterday, after I was taken to the station, the head honcho of these raving facists asked my son if I was the writer of the articles he was reading in this website. My son said no. Now, I wondered why he bothered to mention that? It is a given fact I do post here from time to time. But is that a crime?
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #15 posted by freedom fighter on November 10, 2000 at 15:28:54 PT
Spoke w/ a lawyer
today, he said it is a civil rights issue. We will not make the deal with the devil! Lawyer says to just hang up the phone when they come acalling. I probably will be arrest again. We shall see and I will be keeping in touch.
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #14 posted by dddd on November 10, 2000 at 13:06:34 PT
No charge if you snitch
 Never trust a cop who wants to make some kinda deal.While it may be true that the cop has the power to "look the other way",and not file charges,,cops are not judges,or prosecuters,,at least they're not supposed to be.They will make you think that they are "the law".Dont believe them,or trust them. This is one of the worst things about prohibition,is that it has created a breed of cops who become obsessed with power.They can let you go,or take you downtown.They can say whatever they want. Ripper is right,not all cops are bad,but the bad ones can be really bad. They're trying to scare your kid.Dont make any "deals" with cops. Good luck Freedom Fighter.....dddd
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #13 posted by ripper on November 10, 2000 at 11:31:53 PT
Pig's(not all police are but most)
I don't think they can ??? your kid without your consent. Depending on how old he is. I'm not sure on that though. He does not have to anwser them and they can threaten you all they want and claim this and that but its usually BS. They try to get you to say something that will help them to prosecute you. They will theaten you with jail and all kinds of s#%t just to turn you into a snich. They will also take info you give them to get off and then tell you its not good enuff and aresst you anyway. Then use the info you gave them anyway. Its an old 2 for 1 trick. 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #12 posted by freedom fighter on November 10, 2000 at 10:15:30 PT
They
said,""No charges" as long my boy go snitch on someone. Is that legal? Thanks ripper and dddd, it helps to hear something. Yes, I will keep fighting! \/
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #11 posted by freedom fighter on November 10, 2000 at 10:08:03 PT
Someone
got pissed   my son and told on us. These cops did not want me. They wanted my son. It is just one simple plant. 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #10 posted by ripper on November 10, 2000 at 06:10:15 PT
Cops don't read the constitution!!!
If you can afford it get a lawer. It will help a lot if the lawer is a good one. Even a public defender should be able to help you out of this. 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #9 posted by ripper on November 10, 2000 at 06:00:16 PT
Don't tell them anything!!!
They don't have much on you in the first place if all you had was one plant. They will try anything and say anything but don't belive a word of it. They tried that s$#t with me but I clamed up and would not talk to them and all that happened was a 24.00 fine. Don't talk to the damn family busters. All it does is make it worse.
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #8 posted by dddd on November 10, 2000 at 05:52:07 PT
States
 If you wanna see some interesting stuff,or you're thinking of moving to a different state,but dont know which one,,check out this link. In Massachusetts,possession of any amount,on your first offense;probation....Look out if your first offense is in Nevada though..possession or use of any amount will get you 1-4 years,and $5000.00 finehttp://www.norml.org/legal/state_laws1.shtml
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #7 posted by ripper on November 10, 2000 at 05:38:15 PT
One plant???
The cops in Colorado are on the prowl. I heard from my babysitter (who also watches a cops kid) that they are going to get tuff on pot since they did not win amendment 20. I feel for you bro. Don't worry to much, you should be able to have it dropped to pos. I got popped a few years ago for it and it cost me 24.00 and court cost. That was in Dougles county, Castle rock. How did they know you had a plant? 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #6 posted by dddd on November 10, 2000 at 03:34:14 PT
F*%K
 Freedom Fighter...sorry to hear about your nightmare experience with the drug gestapo...Keep on fighting for freedom. JAH shine on you.....dddd
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #5 posted by freedom fighter on November 10, 2000 at 00:20:43 PT
Racism   its' highest ever
"Do you feel you are productive today?""Yes!""Sure, you do! you made extra 180 bucks today?""Do you feel productive?""I do not think so! What have I done to you?", "It has nothing to do with you." "It was your son!".
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #4 posted by freedom fighter on November 10, 2000 at 00:07:12 PT
Do you know what a true racism is like?
Det. Ah,"We had someone buy from you few days ago." I looked   him very puzzled! What? Who? "We sent a girl to your house and she brought it from you." OH WREALLY? HOW THE FUCK YOU DID NOT BRING AN INTERPRETER? IF YOU KNEW I WAS DEAF dealer? They tried to claimed that five people in my house were conspiring to grow one plant to sell it. OH boy, Im tired.
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #3 posted by freedom fighter on November 09, 2000 at 23:32:52 PT
Oh, the dude 
said," your site were all lies!" so I was told by my son. Cops were asking him for ID five times, and they did not even ask me or my sister or my mother. Unbelievvable! All over one plant?? nah.. there is a special place in heaven for this plant! She/He was about to flower! ahhh.. 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #2 posted by freedom fighter on November 09, 2000 at 22:54:46 PT
I may call myself a freedom
fighter but I am a deaf person! 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #1 posted by freedom fighter on November 09, 2000 at 22:44:24 PT
Oh Lord
I know what is like.I got arrested approx. 6 pm this evening. My version of seeing jackboots entering my house without saying a word but with guns all drawn and a flashlite, I thought I was being robbed or worse yet, killed! (What actually happend was that a friend of my answered and he thought they were trying to rob this house so he shut the door but the cop pull gun on his head.) The bond is 5 thousand dollars but the detective says he can make it all go away if my son would snitch on someone. I got arrested for growing one simple plant in my room. It was a beautiful plant. May she rest in peace! We just passed the Amend. 20 a couple days ago, I feel so voliated, shunned. The detective tried to give me a paper to sign, it was a mirianda right with a stipulation that I am to cooperate with the police. I said," what am I being charge with? Do I need a lawyer?". He,the pig!, said." oh you know we got all the evidence against you." He went off trying to get my boy to snitch. And that pig want a bigger fish, Acid, escatcy, etc.. what the fucking this world have bbecome.So sad about this bullshit(if you would pardon my profanities)I told cop I knew a guy with 5 pounds of pot, he said,"No free pass". He wanted someone with hard drugs. I said,"Gee".He looked   my son and my son said,"Oh, you want me to find you someone. I love my dad and I would do anything to get him out." I am sooooooo pissed and angry.. They knew I was a deaf person and they asked my son to communicate for me or them? OH well, I do not pretend I even understood any of the crap in this small room. Well, I am out now pondering what's really going on? My son explained later on that they still can charge me. Man, I do not even know exactly, one plant and a bag of seeds?.. OH boy I got stuff they missed tho! They are so fucking lazy and evil! And, oh, I as a deaf person, did not sign that paper above. OH BY, BOY, THE WAY I WAS READING YOUR WEBSITE WHEN I GOT ARRESTED! AND THAT IS THE PLAIN TRUTH! TAKE CARE MY FRIENDS! IT WAS A JUST SIMPLE BEAUTIFUL PLANT. ANY GOOD LAWYERING OUT HERE ABOUT THIS? 
[ Post Comment ]

Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: