Posted on 03/20/2015 4:35:36 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Taxpayers fund food benefits for the poorest families among us.
Tonight, CBS12 investigates why those food stamp cards are becoming a common currency for purchasing illegal drug deals.
The Indian River County Sheriff's Office says career criminal Anthony Wheeler, 44, is not the first accused drug dealer detectives found taking payment for drugs with taxpayer-funded electronic benefit cards.
But the Sheriff says the abuse of the benefit cards seems to be getting worse, and the cards are too easily transferable from person to person.
"Primarily you are looking at taxpayers’ dollars that provide EBT cards, that are ultimately buying drugs," said Sheriff Deryl Loar, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
"It appears there's a discounted transaction when you trade in your EBT card for some type of illegal drugs."
The Sheriff said dealers give buyers a discount when using EBT cards, since they are better than cash.
At this latest bust at Wheeler’s home Detectives confiscated 18 EBT cards issued in various names, in his possession.
On Thursday afternoon, detectives with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office Multi-Agency Criminal Enforcement (M.A.C.E.) Unit assisted by the Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team concluded an extensive narcotics investigation by executing a search warrant at a home in the 8400 block of 63rd Avenue.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, as the S.W.A.T. Team entered the premises, Wheeler was observed with a Nestle Quick bottle in his hand.
Detectives determined that the bottled contained 97 grams of heroin and 13 grams of powder cocaine in a false bottom.
The search also yielded .6 grams of crack cocaine, 18 grams of marijuana, $1,308.00 of drug money, $250.00 of unused gift cards, 18 Electronic Benefit Transfer (E.B.T.) cards commonly known as food stamp cards issued in various names, two flintlock firearms, three realistic looking air soft handguns, and one realistic looking air soft rifle.
The home also included an extensive surveillance system and three radio communication devices believed to be used during drug sales.
Now Each and every one of these EBT cards confiscated will be turned over to the state for further investigation.
Sheriff Deryl Loar says he is working closely with state officials to solve the taxpayer-funded benefit card's abuse.
And you can order them with the Obamaphone.
If you dont like what peeps are buying with their money, stop giving them money. Its fungible dont ya know.
As I’ve mentioned here before, I am a triage interviewer for a local food/clothing/etc. bank.
Most of the clients I interview are on food stamps. Some of them are very forthcoming about how they scam food stamps and the cards. I’d say the abuse is on a massive scale. It has to stop.
Where’s that cop from Casablanca?
My opinion is that the EBT card is the beginning of the Mark of the Beast. I wouldn’t put it past the commies in Washington to phase out cash and outlaw debit and credit cards and make the EBT card the sole means to purchase goods and services.
“....purchasing illegal drug deals”.
I suppose this is like buying the grocery store, when all you want is some groceries....
I believe the correct expression is:
DUHH
What happened to the good ol days of government cheese.
Growing up I had poor friends and their house was always filled with tins of grain and a fridge filled with huge blocks of cheese and butter. I never thought much about it and didn’t realize that is what you got when you needed help feeding the family.
How many of them have you reported to the authorities?
I agree. Beans, rice and cheese is all what uoi need to survive comfortably.
Sheriff: Federal ‘EBT’ Cards ‘Ultimately Buying Drugs’
Posted on 3/19/2015
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3269751/posts
As are food stamps (at a discount from face value).
My point. Food Stamps, now EBT Cards are a form of money/wealth. They follow the rules of true economics.
None. The interview is confidential. We are very careful with our clients’ information.
“EBT Cards Used To Buy Drugs, IRCSO Says”
DUh....
And they were buying them with foodstamps, before that.
Remember how in 2012, it was RACIST! to even think this was possible?
You do realize that makes you an accessory to the crimes, policy notwithstanding.
I’m shocked, just shocked.
We were poor and yes we got commodities. We got everything, flour, sugar, lard, peanut butter, butter, cheese, canned chicken, etc. But......you really had to know how to cook to use them. People now do not know how to cook.
By the way, the government cheese was the best cheese ever. lol
Something I’m not concerned about.
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