Chambers County (Texas) Narcotics Task Force Goes Fishing

Houston Area Texans - A FreeRepublic Network Chapter ^ | February 3, 2003 | Jim Chessher

[HiTech RedNeck]

Kind of stinks that the only way this kind of "probable cause" can have a chance of being declared "improbable" is not in the case of the harassment of an innocent person like you, but when they actually catch a crook this way and they wage a successful fight in court to have the evidence suppressed on 4th amendment grounds. This is barse-ackwards.

[jammer]

I've been to that part of the state. File your claim, but take heart about one thing: you didn't have to bend over and yell, "Sooooey".

[hadaclueonce]

be glad you were not in Williamson County (TX). They train their dogs to bark at any vehicle they walk around and the Judges think it is a cute way to get around the constitution.

[Eaker]

One tries to "Back the Blue" and then crap like this happens.

These dogs are extremely effective tools when used properly; no bark, no contraband; move on. I believe that they start failing long after the residue falls below legal limits.

You did everything right and that takes guts!

Eaker

[lodwick]

Good grief Flyer. Stay safe out there.

Regards and blam.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Are you guys on the list (recalling you from the Houston "racer bust" snafu).

[Dog Gone]

You are fortunate that the luggage didn't contain any contraband or you would be in jail.

You did everything right, but it's quite obvious that you were singled out as a possible drugrunner, and the police invented "probable cause" to search your vehicle. You don't have any recourse, and this is just another example of how the crazy War On Drugs is assaulting the rights of innocent citizens.

[Mulder]

Welcome to Amerika.

I'm about to head off to work so I can 40% of my income in taxes. On the way, I will pay tolls so I can get to work.

En route, I expect to see 3 or 4 tax collectors sitting alongside the road waiting to take even more money from me. Of course, they will be sitting right by the change (for no apparent reason) in speed limit from 70 to 60.

Hell, somedays I just want to sit at home all day rather than tolerate all this stuff.

[lonestar]

Sometimes I just gotta vent. . .

When I read this to Weinie, she went on the warpath!

[ActionNewsBill]

Bump

[Just another Joe]

A bump for the police state tactics used by the LEOs.
It's getting bad out there.
Hope I have your patience if it happens to me.

[Caliban]

Well Flyer...without defending their actions...

1) You do "look" like a child of the 60s
2) Your speech impediment to a small town cop could be construed as "nervous behavior".
3)Considering "events" over the weekend...the news of people "stealing" souvenirs from the wreckage site probably was cause for the police to call out all types of police forces...even a drug task force.
4)Sounds as though the drug task force was doing about all they know what to do...PROFILE and harrass.
5) Profiling comes in ALL flavors...be thankful they didn't have any "throw down" drugs....

[anymouse]

I think Caliban has it right. The LEOs were called out to ensure evidence associated with the Columbia shuttle crash doesn't "walk off." It is scattered over a wide area of East Texas and West Louisiana, so the only way to secure such a large area is to randomly inspect suspicious vehicles exiting or enter the area.

[_Jim]

Firstly, the author doesn't deny the officer's assertion: "you were all over the road back there."

It is left to us, the reader to *assume* he wasn't all over the road ...

Secondly, I suggest purchasing one of those small, voice-actuated (VOX) digital recorders from WalMart and keeping that in the car ... he might also want to keep it in plain view on the dash whenever travelling ... I'll leave the operational details for you to figure out ...

[Flyer]

Be thankful you didn't move your hands suddenly. . .Or didn't move suddenly enough, . . . Or had a dog in your car. . . well, get the picture

I read these stories. All that was on my mind. I did my best to stay out of jail and keep all my body parts.

[Flyer]

They train their dogs to bark at any vehicle they walk around

When they didn't get the results they wanted with the first dog and called for a second dog, well, that speaks for itself.

[Flyer]

One tries to "Back the Blue" and then crap like this happens.

I think part of the problem is when we move from the "blue" to the "black" - blacked out cars, all black uniforms. It's an intimidation thing.

[Flyer]

Good grief

My thoughts exactly.

[Flyer]

You are fortunate that the luggage didn't contain any contraband or you would be in jail.

Yep. Then after a night in jail, bail money and a few thousand dollars for a lawyer I would done.

"You can beat the rap but you can't beat the ride"