RSSTip of marijuana-growing operation leads to arrests
Yakima Herald-Republic
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CLE ELUM, Wash. -- Authorities arrested three men Tuesday in connection with a marijuana-growing operation on U.S. Forest Service lands in the Teanaway Valley, about 40 miles northwest of Ellensburg.
The investigation was sparked by a note left at the Cle Elum Ranger Station that described the growing plants and visible plastic water lines, according to a news release from the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's deputies and a Washington State Patrol detective discovered more than 12,000 plants in five growing areas, a camp and the three men.
The men -- ages 24, 29 and 38 -- are being held in Kittitas County Jail and each have immigration holds, according to the jail's Web site.
"This is the largest grow and the highest in elevation, over 4,800 feet, that we have seen in Kittitas County," wrote Undersheriff Clayton Myers in the news release. "We were fortunate to get the tip, as this grow was nearly harvested and ready for shipment."
Don't worry lobo, Homeland INsecurity Chief, Napolitano will give them green cards and an apology, just like she did the 28 illegal criminal aliens that were busted out of Yamato Engine in Bellingham earlier this year.
At least, they prosecuted the owners of the business, but only gave them a slap o the wrist - AND THIS WAS THEIR SECOND OFFENSE! Oh well, it's a start.
This is even more proof that the cartels are setting up shop here. I talked to a guy in the forest service administration and he is very concerned that their organization is in serious danger with rangers walking alone unarmed in our forests, who may stumble on a grow and be hurt or worse. Many of these instances are happening lately in our National Forests and private farm land, and are rapidly growing in number.
Latest word from the Border Patrol and ICE is that the Mexican cartels are finding it easier to sneak in people only, (not carrying drugs) then making them work their "grows" up here instead. This is definitely NOT good news for anyone.
Ok, So why where these guys here in the first place? They were growing weed. Why were they growing weed in the mountains? Becuase there is a black market and great demand.
Do you think these guys and their boss's want drug policy to change. The current drug policy keeps these guys busy with work and keeps their boss's pockets full of American money. NO immigration enforcment or change will change the failur of the drug war. Where there is demand there will be supply. Especialy if the rewards out weight the risk. DEA and drug tast force also dont want policy to change as they need job security. Billions of tax dollars wasted on this and billions put in terrorist and cartels hands. We reap what we sow.
NICK,LOBO...and all of you who (supposedly don't smoke)
It keeps 1000's of ICE,U.S. Marshalls, Sherriffs, and many other law enforcement officers employed...even you and I, so how would this affect us...think about it...law enforcement officers standing in line at the un-employment office....hahhahahahhahahhaha
FYI, Of course, you are dead-bang on the root of the problem - our DEMAND for drugs. I also agree that the so-called "War on Drugs" is useless and wasteful, and certainly goes nowhere to solve the problem of demand. True, the supply will keep coming until we stop buying the product. I have said for a long time that our government should "legalize" all drugs, then administer them at prices cheaper than the black market can compete with. This would put the cartels out of business. They should spend the money from the War on Drugs on education and rehab facilities instead of prisons.
Out of the box thinking is definitely in order.
sid515 you are off base with your comment. First, I don't smoke anything and never have, ever. Second, I say legalize and tax the drugs. As you pointed out, the need for police (that won't do anything about drugs in this town) will decrease and revenues will increase. There will be other unintended consequences caused by legalizing drugs.
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