Posted on 12/29/2005 11:21:44 AM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Last week, Washington County authorities arrested four people for allegedly growing marijuana at three different homes in Saint Paul Park.
The big bust resulted in the seizure of more than 2,000 pot plants.
It began last Monday at 1335 3rd St., where authorities opened the door and found 365 marijuana plants.
Sheriff Steve Pott called it part of the biggest marijuana growing operation in recent memory.
"For some reason people don't see (marijuana) as glamorous as cocaine or methamphetamine, but it's one of the more common drugs," he said, "especially in Washington County."
An anonymous tipster led investigators to the house on 3rd Street, and to two other homes just blocks away. Between the three locations, Pott said authorities collected 2100 plants, with a total estimated street value of $250,000.
"Between the three (locations)," Pott said, "we estimate them (producing) about a million dollars worth of marijuana a year."
Pott said he didn't know if the three operations are linked, even though the three houses are located in the same neighborhood.
Four people now face charges felony drug charges:
James R. Super, of Minneapolis, faces the most serious charges. He was found inside the house on 3rd Street and charged with second- and third-degree felonies for possession and intent to distribute. He also is charged with a firearms violation for possessing a handgun.
Authorities arrested Jennifer L. Rolfing, and Jeremiah Hirman, at 8084 Grey Cloud Island Drive. Both are residents of Forest Lake, and both were charged with fifth-degree manufacturing and possession offenses.
Nicholas A. Lebow was arrested at 1190 Main Street and faces a third-degree manufacturing charge.
When investigators found the plants, they also found elaborate lighting, heating and watering systems.
These were people who took their marijuana seriously, Sheriff Pott said.
"These were people who took their marijuana seriously, Sheriff Pott said."
Someone named "Pott" should know.
Especially since his nickname is "Smokey."
it was only for "personal use"
I want some of that Super pot.
The war on drugs is stupid. A waste of men and money. I mean, look, we're arresting people for what? GROWING PLANTS! For cyrin' out loud!..........
Fricking War on Drugs (Cue the obligatory "Losertarian" or "Liberaltarian" wisecrack from the Drug Warriors)
For that kind of money, Super and Hirman should have been able to afford a decent haircut. Clearly these people were a menace to society and belong behind bars. When we start executing people for trafficking in drugs maybe we can start getting somewhere with the WOD. It is war, after all, and in war people need to be killed or you can't win.
I feel so much safer.
Y'know, I prefer the FR term WODies to "warriors." Big difference between A) valiantly fighting to protect family, livelihood, and homeland from an actual invasion, and B) sitting at home supporting government assault, theft, and kidnapping just for having some plants.
I toked the sherrif, but I did not toke the deputy.
Man, ya gotta love the family farmer.
Iran executes people left and right for trafficking and they have a worse drug problem than we do.
It's hard to quantify the success of the DEA. People are still going to jail, people are still trafficking in drugs, people are still taking drugs.
But we must not give up the fight and let people do what they want to do in a free nation. We must not consider cost of the lost opportunity of the people who are being housed behind bars. We must not consider the cost of denying voluntary transactions that has created a thriving underworld and black market. It would be foolish to look to the example of history and consider the costs and benefits of ending prohibition. Because after all, these are drugs and drugs are evil.
That sounds good in theory, but folks get down right queasy when they realize the occasional upper-class whitebread kid is gonna get the noose too.
Iran clearly has not executed enough people.
The only people who take drugs or traffick in drugs are poor people. upper-class whitebread kids won't be affected. And if they are, I'm sure their congressman daddies will take care of it for them.
Are you serious?
Execute people for growing a weed.
Now that's f**kin smart.
It was folks with that mindset who thought we could enforce prohibition.
Lots of folks died and lots of money got wasted.
You all for executing a hillbilly for running a still too?
After all, can't win the war on illegal hooch without someone gettin kilt, right?
I need a drink.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.