cannabisnews.com: Major Sting Targets Commercial Grow Op Major Sting Targets Commercial Grow Op Posted by CN Staff on June 24, 2008 at 13:04:22 PT By The Times-Standard Source: Times-Standard California -- More than 400 federal and state agents executed search warrants in Southern Humboldt and Arcata today, part of an investigation into what the FBI described as a major commercial marijuana operation. About eight FBI agents serving a search warrant at a house on Virginia Way just outside Arcata this morning were looking through apparent grow lights, tubing, boxes and bags. They refused to talk to the media. Several warrants were also served in Southern Humboldt, including on Briceland Thorne Road. A checkpoint staffed with assault-rifle toting agents was reportedly set up at Alderpoint and Harris roads. Convoys of agency vehicles poured through several communities in Southern Humboldt. The agencies were staging out of the River Lodge in Fortuna. FBI spokesman Joseph Schadler said that agents with the FBI and the state were collecting evidence through 27 federal and two state warrants as part of a two-year investigation into a major marijuana cultivation and distribution operation. ”We're looking at a single group of folks,” Schadler said. Schadler said that the operation is not targeting at medical marijuana grows. Warrants were being served on both indoor and outdoor growing operations, Schadler said, and the outdoor operations totaled some 2,000 acres. The U.S. Postal Service and Internal Revenue Service were also participating. Law enforcement does not plan to file charges against anyone at this stage, he said. Agents will continue to search the properties for hours or even days, he said. Asked if agents had encountered resistance from the targets of the investigation, Schadler said he believed “everything went off without a hitch.”Source: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)Published: June 24, 2008Copyright: 2008 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: editor times-standard.comWebsite: http://www.times-standard.com/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #23 posted by ekim on June 25, 2008 at 08:05:40 PT Leap on the Hill LEAP on the Hill Stories from the week of June 20, 2008 Thundering silence no more: On Thursday Senator Webb (D-VA) held his second hearing on the topic: Mass Incarceration. At What Cost? Senators and Congressmen heard more testimony from experts on the massive impact locking up* 2.3 million people has on the country. Though media was scarce, our issue is finally receiving the attention it deserves. After the hearing I spoke to Senator Webb for a minute, providing an answer to a question which the panel was unable to ask (how does expenditure* of time arresting 845,000 for cannabis impact the other aspects of public safety/police work?). Thanks to the suggestion of Ethel in Florida & Eric here in DC, the next day I submitted that answer in writing which was made part of the permanent record for the hearing. As I made office visits on Friday, it was simply wonderful to tell the aides that, ‘look to Senator Webb on this issue. He is lighting a candle & speaking out.’ Small steps. Below I am including the text of my statement given to Webb’s committee. *locking up = im Gefängnis zu stecken *expenditure = Zeit verbringen Testimony for the Joint Economic Committee, June 19, 2008 Assessing U.S. drug policy and providing a base for future decision Howard J. WooldridgeBath Township, MI Police Detective Howard J. Wooldridge, (retired) At the hearing of the Joint Economic Committee which Senator Webb chaired on June 19, 2008 two questions asked by the Members were not fully answered. Therefore, I would like the following information be included as part of the record for that hearing. Regarding Senator Webb’s question on how the expenditure of time to arrest some 845,000 persons per year on marijuana charges impacts other areas of law enforcement: During my fifteen (15) years of police service I learned that my profession often searches and does not find anything illegal. Thus, one can not simply extrapolate* the number of arrests times X hours of time per arrest. An average of ten (10) vehicle searches must be conducted in order to find one containing marijuana. Conservatively, 7-8 million hours of patrol time are spent enforcing marijuana prohibition laws. This results in less time for effective DUI, reckless driving and other traffic enforcement priorities. Regarding Congressman Hinchey’s question of the percentage of prisoners whose crime touches in someway drug prohibition laws: My experience as a detective and in speaking with colleagues show 70-75 % of felony crime touches drug prohibition policy.Whether crimes committed go up or down, drug prohibition continues to be the engine driving the vast majority of felony crime in America. *extrapolate = extrapolieren Contact information for Howard J. Wooldridge: Howard J. Wooldridge4619 Araby Church RoadFrederick, MD 21704817-975-1110 Cellwooldridge leap.cc [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by rchandar on June 25, 2008 at 07:58:11 PT: ekim i agree. Humboldt County, eh? It's been a symbol of pot production for a LONG time--roughly 60-70 years, BEFORE there were hippies......i lived there for a few months, 15 years ago. They often get advance notice of police/authority raids. The station that broadcasts news of Federal or State campaigns is KMUD; I didn't listen to it all that much, but most of the times, the growers are well aware of the Feds' moves.I wouldn't be surprised if this "southern sweep" ends up netting a few buds and football fields--of dust.rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by ekim on June 25, 2008 at 07:01:44 PT how many agents are looking for tomatos it would be interesting to see how many have been pulled off food inspection or just not funded for this cannabis prohibition [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on June 25, 2008 at 05:00:34 PT potpal If I only had the channels you have I would be bummed out. I don't watch Network TV very often. I find the Discovery Channels very good. Movies, because we were in the video business for a number of years, aren't really interesting to us. We burned out on movies. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by potpal on June 25, 2008 at 04:52:05 PT Doh! Typo alert: diary not dairy! No pun intended. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by afterburner on June 24, 2008 at 23:34:52 PT OT: Donate $$$ for Constitutional Challenge? Canada: $40 Pot Charge Has Law in Turmoil, National Post, (19 Jun 2008) http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v08/n608/a05.html?176 [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by BGreen on June 24, 2008 at 21:11:55 PT 400 Federal and State pieces of worthless crap You 400 Federal and State law enforcement dupes are the proof of evolution everybody has been looking for because you are the primordial slime that life on earth evolved from.Just think, in only 200 million years you might actually evolve into human beings.Until then, you will just be slime, and your wives, husbands, mothers, fathers and children are also worthless slime.You lost this war years ago, but since primordial slime can't think, read or reason, you'll never get it. You'll continue to slime the rest of us like the trail of a snail until the "salt" known as truth and justice is poured upon you and you melt, because truth and justice are poisonous to your psychotic minds.On a lighter side, there's no way the cops are going to be able to eradicate outdoor crops because of the massive amounts of rain the Midwest has received. The flying slime were successful because most of the indigenous plants turned brown due to the dry conditions and cannabis plants would stand out as a beautiful green.This year, ALL of the plants look like they're going to stay green and the cops are probably crying in their Budweiser right now (of course distributed by the wife of prohibitionist, John McCain.)The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Storm Crow on June 24, 2008 at 20:56:18 PT Other sites on the raids.... Read the comments for details the news articles won't have!-http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=93194http://boards.cannabis.com/northern-california/157441-holy-shit-batman-feds-invaded-humboldt.htmlhttp://www.thecannacabana.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9155http://www.treatingyourself.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28368 [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by RevRayGreen on June 24, 2008 at 20:38:01 PT since we all knew about the coming raids, those in Humbolt who were targeted hopefully took the last measure possible, that being plant destruction, if that's is what it took, just to avoid Federal prosecution/incarceration for posession of, reading how they are coming up with only empty houses with grow equipment makes me smile. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on June 24, 2008 at 20:23:45 PT Just a Note This is what Rev A will do when we get it.Alltel Starts EVDO Rev. A Broadband Rollouthttp://www.smartphonetoday.com/articles/2008/6/2008-6-24-Alltel-Starts-EVDO.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 24, 2008 at 20:11:53 PT Weeds Thank you. For us we don't watch enough movies to warrant Showtime just for Weeds. I find downloading something to avoid since all but Alltel has capped their service and Verizon is buying Alltel. I hope the deal dosn't go thru until after Obama becomes our next President. The merger is scheduled for the end of the year but maybe it will not happen and we won't be capped. They are looking at capping even cable type connections. Peer to peer will probably be stopped or people will pay for it I think. I have never had good luck with it so maybe it's best. I see how much bandwidth I use just watching Obama live events. I hope they can work out a fair solution for this problem for much of rural America. Rural Americans are not second class citizens in my opinion. We are getting Rev A soon though. I get a slight taste of Rev A every morning for the last few days. They are testing it. That will be great. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 24, 2008 at 19:44:02 PT: Going after one of our Cannabis Capitals I think they will be going all out again this summer knowing that there will be a significant change of power come November. But c'mon, 400 agents????? To take down some herbal medicine gardeners?Pathetic. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 24, 2008 at 19:29:46 PT: Another great start to a new season of WEEDS! It really crept up on me fast this year. I didn't see any previews until like 2 or 3 days before the opening show. Looks like the writers and actors are bringing their "A" games once again. Can't wait for the drama to continue next week. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Dankhank on June 24, 2008 at 19:21:02 PT Weeds is still a good show, less about weed so far as about the Botwin's flight from the law and cardboard houses made of ticky-tacky.I enjoyed the first two episodes ...immensely.likely they are available online ...http://www.mininova.org/search/?search=Weeds [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Dankhank on June 24, 2008 at 19:17:06 PT Weeds is still a good show, less about weed so far as about the Botwin's flight from the law and cardboard houses made of ticky-tacky.I enjoyed the first two episodes ...immensely [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by potpal on June 24, 2008 at 19:07:09 PT weeds It's out there alright. It certainly puts the topic on the table for discussion. A new show, Dairy of a Call Girl, is an eye opener also, it follows Weed's. Good tv, better then the forensick science fasination and police state of mind programming that seems to dominate the big channels. I watch them at a friends house. I don't have cable TV and only get 3 stations with fuzzy reception. ABC, CBS and public broadcasting. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on June 24, 2008 at 18:36:42 PT potpal Is the new season of Weeds good? We didn't subscribe to Showtime this year. Weeds had gotten really strange last season so we weren't sure about the direction that it was going. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by potpal on June 24, 2008 at 18:32:07 PT your tax dollars at work 400 agents x $60/hr to harrass hard working American entrepenuers. Its a plant, Americans appreciate the service. We don't appreciate a world that revolves around the prohibition of cannabis. I was at home at the time watching episode 2 of the new season of Weed's...! Strange days indeed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by greenmed on June 24, 2008 at 17:19:26 PT poll Thanks Treeanna. As of 'now' the results are:* Yes, but only for medicinal purposes. 19%* No, it should be illegal in all instances. 10%* It should be legal, like alcohol. 71%It is a good article accompanying too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Treeanna on June 24, 2008 at 15:59:17 PT Off-topic, but there's a poll! :) Go check this out in the OC Register:http://www.ocregister.com/articles/monson-says-marijuana-2072170-police-adams [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on June 24, 2008 at 14:05:52 PT Related Article From The Eureka Reporter Agents Arrive in Humboldt To Target Marijuana Grows*** June 24, 2008There are hundreds of agents in Humboldt County from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Lt. George Cavinta of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said this morning.A command post has been set up at the River Lodge in Fortuna, he said.FBI special agent Joseph M. Schadler said there are approximately 450 agents from the FBI, BNE, Internal Revenue Service, Postal Inspection Office and a "sprinkling of agents" from the Drug Enforcement Agency in the county.A mobile command post and a tactical operation center have been established at the River Lodge, he said.There are approximately 2,000 acres of commercial marijuana growing operations in Humboldt County and 27 locations are being targeted, Schadler said.Agents are not targeting 215 medical marijuana users or grows, he said. They are targeting for profit grows by people who have pooled their funds together to establish large marijuana growing operations. Agents are searching homes, seizing weapons and removing marijuana plants. They are not anticipating any federal arrests today, he said. People will be taken into custody but agents do not plan any federal charges against those people in the near future.Efforts were made to keep the operation secret for the safety of the agents and the suspected marijuana cultivators, Schadler said.FBI agents raided a house at 1658 Virginia Way in Sunny Brae early this morning. Around 10 a.m., agents combed through the trunk of a gray car parked in the driveway. The car had Oregon license plates.A pile of equipment including lamps, triangular containers and hoses were spread across the yard.It is not known if any arrests were made by agents at this time."I have no idea how long (FBI agents) were there," said Bob O., who lives across the street from the house that was raided.He stepped outside his door around 8 a.m. this morning and saw eight agents around the house across the street, he said.He said he prefers neighbors to unoccupied grow houses and the sound of children over silence."The pattern is no one's ever home," he said regarding the house that was raided.Copyright: 2008 The Eureka ReporterURL: http://www.eurekareporter.com/article/080624-agents-arrive-in-humboldt [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 24, 2008 at 14:01:52 PT Related Article From The LA Times Raids Smoke Out Large Marijuana Operation in Humboldt County***Residences and growing sites were targeted as federal and state agents serve 29 warrants on a commercial cultivation and distribution organization, authorities say.By Tim Reiterman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer June 24, 2008SAN FRANCISCO -- Hundreds of federal and state agents served search warrants throughout Humboldt County today, targeting a large commercial marijuana cultivation and distribution organization, authorities said.The raids were at residences and marijuana-growing sites covering thousands of acres and were part of a two-year investigation initiated by the state Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.About 450 agents from the narcotics bureau, the FBI and numerous other agencies served 29 search warrants in the communities of Eureka, Arcata, Redway and Garberville, and in Shelter Cove in neighboring Mendocino County.No injuries were reported, and results of the searches have not been compiled. FBI spokesman Joe Schadler said he does not expect arrests today.Officials said the raids did not involve legitimate medical marijuana clinics or growing operations, which are allowed under state law but not recognized by federal agencies."Medicinal marijuana is supposed to be medicine and not a large-scale business operation," said narcotics bureau spokeswoman Sara Simpson. "When large quantities of cash begin to change hands, crime and violence soon follow, and that will not be tolerated by law enforcement."Copyright: 2008 Los Angeles Timeshttp://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pot25-2008jun25,0,6360270.story [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 24, 2008 at 13:38:55 PT Related Article From The Eureka Reporter Operation Southern Sweep To Continue for a Few Days June 24, 2008Federal agents and personnel for Operation Southern Sweep expect to be in Humboldt County for a few days to deal with 29 warrants all connected to one group of people and their large-scale commercial marijuana cultivation and distribution, FBI special agent Joseph M. Schadler said.The investigation kicked off two years ago by the California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and the FBI joined in the investigation shortly after, he said.Operation Southern Sweep was initiated around 7 a.m. this morning and agents and personnel for the sweep have been coming into the area for the last several days.“There was some accuracy to the rumors (about federal agents coming to Humboldt County for a marijuana crackdown) and the dates were penned down pretty well,” Schadler said.Agents are not targeting 215 medical marijuana users or growers.The sweep is focused on 23 discreet locations, residences, grow houses and two large chunks of property with four warrants and two state warrants, Schadler said.No charges have been filed against anyone at this point and none are planned in the near future.The goal is to collect evidence, look for evidence of crimes and things that have been purchased with illegal proceeds to support ongoing prosecution efforts, he said.None of the raids will have impact on fire suppression efforts and no public roads are being closed, Schadler said.The focus of the sweep is mainly in southern Humboldt with some spillover in Arcata and there may be some spillover into Mendocino County, he said."I don't believe there is anything (happening regarding raids) in Eureka," he said.Copyright: 2008 The Eureka ReporterURL: http://eurekareporter.com/article/080624-operation-southern-sweep-to-continue-for-a-few-days [ Post Comment ] Post Comment