Posted on 07/01/2003 8:32:57 AM PDT by Dan from Michigan
Raid uncovers pot, illegal lizards
By Jon Zemke
Daily Press & Argus
Police said they found a marijuana-growing operation, rattlesnakes and an alligator Saturday morning when they raided a home in Unadilla Township, west of Pinckney.
The raid was part of a nation-wide crackdown on dealers of exotic animals who allegedly sold several endangered species of reptiles and amphibians.
The Unadilla Township home on Coon Street, near Gregory, was one of nine places in the state searched by the state Department of Natural Resources. Search warrants were also executed in eight other states, including Ohio and Indiana.
Wade Hamilton, a detective_sergeant with the DNR, said his agency had enough evidence to file 146 misdemeanor counts in the undercover case. He expects that number to rise now that the searches are finished.
Police said a Unadilla Township man, 42, was illegally possessing an alligator and four rattlesnakes, which are poisonous, in his home. Rattlesnakes are a protected Michigan species.
"He had hundreds of snakes and spiders and all of the things that could be traded because he was a dealer," Hamilton said. "It was overwhelming."
Police also allegedly found a substantial pot-growing operation, which they turned over to the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team.
"They found a marijuana-growing operation of about 30 plants," said Bill Cook, the interim chief of the Unadilla Township Police Department.
Pete Gokey, a LAWNET spokesperson, said he couldn't give out many details about the alleged operation but did say LAWNET was not aware of it before the raid.
"It wasn't a huge operation, but it wasn't a small one either," Gokey said.
The raids are the culmination of a two-year investigation by the departments of natural resources in the three states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The police officers posed as dealers and trappers. The animals allegedly involved included gila monsters, spotted turtles, Blanding's turtles, fox snakes, black rat snakes, Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes, Eastern box turtles, spotted salamanders, Indian pythons and indigo snakes.
The number of animals seized in Michigan alone topped 170. The reptiles allegedly included more than 150 protected turtles and 20 protected snakes.
The market value of the Michigan animals is estimated at over $55,000. Some of the animals allegedly seized were spotted turtles, which are a protected species in Michigan and can sell for as much as $250 apiece.
Michigan charges are expected to range from misdemeanor counts of illegally selling protected wildlife, to felony counts of possession with intent to deliver narcotics and animal cruelty.
The investigation started when a concerned citizen tipped off police in June 2001.
Hamilton said the dealers who were raided over the weekend are a very tight-knit group of people who are hard to infiltrate. Police have tried several times before and been unsuccessful.
"They're not going to put the illegal ones (reptiles) up on the table (at reptile shows)," Hamilton said. "They're going to keep them under the shelves."
I guess ONLY the government can protect species. Anyone else gets the "boot to the head". Whatever happened to allowing the Free Market to work? Who is going to have more of an interest in an endangered species.. a government beureaucrat? Or a capitalist who can turn a buck raising them?
Pot, snakes, and an alligator. Nice.
For liberals it's not about results but good intentions; that's why they dislike factories buying and selling 'emission credits' although it's the most effective way to reduce emissions.
Showing once again that supporters of the War On Some Drugs are liberals.
Was there ever a doubt?
Home Sweet Home...:)
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