Sheriffs Report $14 Billion in L.A. Pot Seizures
November 12th, 2008 by Perry
Lee Baca, Los Angeles county’s head sheriff, said this year his officers recorded $14 billion worth of marijuana seized, which is believed to be the largest annual total ever.
The Marijuana Enforcement Team team in August found a 116,000-plant farm in mountains of the Angeles National Forest above San Dimas. [...] It took 40 people two days to chop down the crop, bundle it and fly it out by helicopter.
Officials also noted large-scale marijuana cultivation has steadily increased in recent years. In addition to the 360,000 marijuana plants seized this year by the MET team, officials made five arrests, confiscated 15 guns and removed tons of trash and chemicals from the forest, Baca said. Between the trash removal and the five arrests for almost half a million plants, I’d say the sheriff’s department is doing one helluva job.
I just want to take an opportunity to point out that in light of the several billion dollar budget deficit California is in, eight percent of $14 billion would be a nice sum of tax revenue for the state. Good thing it has as much value to the sheriffs as the trash they pick up from the fields.
Fat Sacks? That’ll Be Aisle Nine
September 29th, 2008 by Perry
Three of Missouri’s brightest are being arrested in one of the state’s biggest seizures, after 300 pounds of pot was delivered to the auto parts store they were working at. Really, guys? Really?
The U.S. Mail, UPS or FedEX are probably not the best way to move all that weed. The Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force seized the ganj shortly after making sure one of the employees knew what was in the box. Dumb, da-dumb, dumb… Duuuumb!
You Break, You Buy
September 22nd, 2008 by Perry
Two Colorado folk are trying to get reimbursed somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000 for 39 pot plants the local police illegally seized, and then returned a year later, completely ruined.
I’m not the resident hydroponics expert, but I’m sure sitting in a police basement with no light, can’t be good for plants. Some of the plants were so badly decomposed they had turned into a black, moldy liquid. No report on whether or not the couple tried to smoke the liquid.
4 Million Euro Worth of Drugs Destroyed
March 20th, 2007 by Alex
Ever wonder how Eastern European authorities destroy large amounts of seized narcotics? Me neither.
Just in case you’re still interested, here’s a quick photoset from Macedonia involving tons of drugs, a steel mill and temperatures hot enough to melt the Terminator 1000.
So what exactly was destroyed? Only 150 kilos of hashish, 250 kilos of marijuana, 80 kilos of heroin, 30,000 ecstasy pills and 16 kilos of cocaine worth a street value of almost 4 million Euro.
See more pictures after the jump.
Don’t Drug Traffic in Columbia
February 5th, 2007 by Alex
At the end of 2006 and continuing into this year, certain Latin American governments have launched a heavy offensive against drug cartels. The most publicized of these was Mexico’s various efforts, including the use of it’s army to eradicate grow operations in extremely rural areas.
Columbia is another country pushing forward with anti-trafficking operations. The picture above is of police guarding more than two tons of marijuana that was confiscated near the border of Venezuela.
So here’s my question, are the red-packaged bricks individual size and the giant white one’s a valu-pack?
[AP Photo/Leonardo Munoz]
Marijuana Valu-Pack
January 9th, 2007 by Alex
If you’ve ever wondered what massive bushels of seized pot look like, then wait no more. This stash was seized right before the New Year in the Harris County, Texas.
Obviously, these are warehouse sized bricks and not for hiding under a blanket in the back seat of your ‘91 Chrysler LeBaron.
[via Brett Coomer / AP]
Flickr User: DEA Man
December 23rd, 2006 by Alex
Here’s some photos from a Flickr user called DEA Man.
His user profile says, “DEA Superman, keeping drugs out of our high schools… you’re welcome.” I guess a thanks is in order?
Above are some choice photos of pot that was confiscated from a Hawaiian medical marijuana clinic.
Or, you can check out his photo sets - here, here and here.
Border Busts on the Rise
November 21st, 2006 by Alex
As you can probably tell from the increased amount of Arrests/Busts articles being posted on tFS, it’s weed growing (and transporting) season. Authorities are reporting that marijuana seizures are up nearly 15% this year. That’s a jump from 155,000 pounds to 177,500 pounds of seized crop. Damn that’s a lot of herb.
| Recent Marijuana Busts | |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 300 lbs. (high grade) |
| New Mexico | 2,176 lbs. |
| Texas | 3,500 lbs. |
| Total (Recent) | 35,976 lbs. |
| Total (USA) | 177,500 lbs. |
So why is the grow output and bust rate going up this year? After a major bust in Texas, Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier had this to say :
Because of the heavy rains and favorable growing conditions we anticipate this will be one of many large marijuana loads to be seized along the border. Large loads are becoming more prevalent, since the fall season (started), and it isn’t likely to end any time soon, as the marijuana harvesting season is far from over.
It’s basic supply & demand. The US will always have a high demand for marijuana, no matter how much is grown. The increase in crop means more delivery attempts. This gives US authorities more chances to locate and confiscate marijuana. Looks like tFS won’t be short on news articles any time soon.
[via ABC 13]
