Pot times July 16, 2005
War On Marijuana
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1121/a04.htmlNewshawk: kirkmuse
Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 WAR ON MARIJUANA
Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph (WV)
Copyright: 2005 Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Contact:
news@bdtonline.com
Website: http://www.bdtonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1483
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McDowell Raids Need Public Support
Marijuana may be a profitable enterprise for those who have yet to be caught by
the long arm of the law, but it is one business we do not want operating in the
Mountain State. This week, the West Virginia State Police launched a
public awareness campaign encouraging the public to report sightings of
marijuana plants.
"We're beginning our marijuana eradication season, and are looking for tips
from the public," Trooper A.H. Young, with the Princeton Detachment
of the West Virginia State Police, told the Daily Telegraph.
Many people discover marijuana plants while riding all-terrain vehicles or
hiking through the woods.
Marijuana is a green plant with five leaves that have serrated edges.
During this time of year - the growing season - plants can range in size from 2
to 3 feet up to 14 or 15 feet tall.
The eradication campaign is vital coming on the heels of two significant drug
busts in McDowell County.
A pair of raids in McDowell last weekend netted plants with a street value in
the six-figure range. Twelve plants discovered in Ritter Hollow had an
estimated street value of $2,000 per plant - with a total value of around
$24,000.
The Welch detachment of the West Virginia State Police also confiscated 40
marijuana plants in Shaft Hallow in Caretta, which were growing in two different
plots.
Police estimated the street value of these plants at $80,000.
Earlier week, more marijuana plants - also with an estimated street value of
several thousand dollars - were also discovered in McDowell County.
Although officials say the peak season for marijuana cultivation is still weeks
ago, we hope the number of plants already confiscated is not a harbinger of a
bad season.
Trooper Young said anyone who comes across marijuana plants should not venture
near the plants but, instead, should contact the local State Police detachment.
"A lot of people have neighbors they suspect might be growing
marijuana," Young said. "If they want to call and give
information about someone growing marijuana, they can remain anonymous.
They do not have to give their name ... We just want the
information."
We encourage all residents of the two Virginias who stumble across marijuana
plants or suspect individuals of growing the illegal plants to contact their
local law enforcement officials immediately.
It is up to all of us to do our part to help eradicate this illegal substance
from our communities
