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human experience
Stranger


Registered: 09/06/11
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Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid
#18722652 - 08/18/13 12:20 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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A small organic farm in Arlington, Texas, was the target of a massive police action last week that included aerial surveillance, a SWAT raid and a 10-hour search.
Members of the local police raiding party had a search warrant for marijuana plants, which they failed to find at the Garden of Eden farm. But farm owners and residents who live on the property told a Dallas-Ft. Worth NBC station that the real reason for the law enforcement exercise appears to have been code enforcement. The police seized "17 blackberry bushes, 15 okra plants, 14 tomatillo plants ... native grasses and sunflowers," after holding residents inside at gunpoint for at least a half-hour, property owner Shellie Smith said in a statement. The raid lasted about 10 hours, she said.
Local authorities had cited the Garden of Eden in recent weeks for code violations, including "grass that was too tall, bushes growing too close to the street, a couch and piano in the yard, chopped wood that was not properly stacked, a piece of siding that was missing from the side of the house, and generally unclean premises," Smith's statement said. She said the police didn't produce a warrant until two hours after the raid began, and officers shielded their name tags so they couldn't be identified. According to ABC affiliate WFAA, resident Quinn Eaker was the only person arrested -- for outstanding traffic violations.
The city of Arlington said in a statement that the code citations were issued to the farm following complaints by neighbors, who were "concerned that the conditions" at the farm "interfere with the useful enjoyment of their properties and are detrimental to property values and community appearance." The police SWAT raid came after "the Arlington Police Department received a number of complaints that the same property owner was cultivating marijuana plants on the premises," the city's statement said. "No cultivated marijuana plants were located on the premises," the statement acknowledged.
The raid on the Garden of Eden farm appears to be the latest example of police departments using SWAT teams and paramilitary tactics to enforce less serious crimes. A Fox television affiliate reported this week, for example, that police in St. Louis County, Mo., brought out the SWAT team to serve an administrative warrant. The report went on to explain that all felony warrants are served with a SWAT team, regardless whether the crime being alleged involves violence.
In recent years, SWAT teams have been called out to perform regulatory alcohol inspections at a bar in Manassas Park, Va.; to raid bars for suspected underage drinking in New Haven, Conn.; to perform license inspections at barbershops in Orlando, Fla.; and to raid a gay bar in Atlanta where police suspected customers and employees were having public sex. A federal investigation later found that Atlanta police had made up the allegations of public sex.
Other raids have been conducted on food co-ops and Amish farms suspected of selling unpasteurized milk products. The federal government has for years been conducting raids on medical marijuana dispensaries in states that have legalized them, even though the businesses operate openly and are unlikely to pose any threat to the safety of federal enforcers.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/15/texas-swat-team-conducts-_n_3764951.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
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lazyfingers
grrr


Registered: 08/07/09
Posts: 3,347
Last seen: 4 years, 3 months
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: human experience] 1
#18722976 - 08/18/13 01:56 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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They were hoping the owners had guns so they could shoot them. This sounds like something out of Egypt.
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Ogla



Registered: 02/16/04
Posts: 11,350
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: lazyfingers]
#18723010 - 08/18/13 02:09 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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No pot so they find excuses and things wrong to blame on the farmers. I mean comon, is this really worth the time of the DEA telling people their grass is too high and bushes close to the street. Its pretty lame.
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Nature Boy
Stranger than most



Registered: 07/09/07
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: lazyfingers]
#18723017 - 08/18/13 02:12 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yep...it's an old tactic. Don't like your neighbor, or have a beef with them - allege something illegal is going on and sit back and laugh as the authorities grossly over-react and hope they come up with SOME bogus charge(s) to make the neighbor miserable...
Classic scum-baggery - Texas-style.
N.B.
-------------------- All submitted posts under this user name are works of pure fiction or outright lies. Any information, statement, or assertion contained therein should be considered pure unadulterated bullshit. Note well: Sorry, but I do not answer PM's unless you are a long-time trusted friend. If you have a question, ask it in the appropriate thread.
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Lord_McLovin
mad scientist on shrooms


Registered: 04/09/11
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: Nature Boy]
#18723033 - 08/18/13 02:18 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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US police is highly militarized and of course they want to use their toys.
Damn, I'm so glad to live in the Netherlands.
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hidenseek1
Its got all the dinks.
Registered: 12/22/12
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: Lord_McLovin]
#18723374 - 08/18/13 03:34 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
chopped wood that was not properly stacked
brb
-------------------- You can drink at 7 A.M., because the Beastie Boys fought for that right -------------------------------------------------------------------------- pons asinorum -------------------------------------------------------------------------- lsd and the vietnam war changed music forever
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Chuckfinely
another round for me an my buddy

Registered: 06/27/13
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: hidenseek1]
#18723638 - 08/18/13 04:35 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Every day i worry that I wont get out of this country before its too late and they just straight wont let you leave
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jonnymushroom
the man of many teks

Registered: 07/27/13
Posts: 262
Loc: dugg in somewere
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: human experience]
#18723773 - 08/18/13 05:09 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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It is bull shit there is not excuse for those kind of actions. This is a free country and we should be safe in our country from unreasonable search and seizures and we are not any more, cuz they can make up anything now to do so and it should be stopped the men that died for our freedoms here would not believe this mess that is going on here in US.And our government should be ashamed.
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Konyap

Registered: 06/30/07
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: jonnymushroom]
#18724183 - 08/18/13 06:51 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
"grass that was too tall, bushes growing too close to the street, a couch and piano in the yard, chopped wood that was not properly stacked, a piece of siding that was missing from the side of the house, and generally unclean premises,
Gotta vacuum up all that dust.
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my3rdeye



Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 4,354
Loc: Canada
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: Konyap]
#18724695 - 08/18/13 08:48 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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I wouldn't want to live next to some white trash neighbour with junked cars in the yard. But a farm who gives a shit? If I have a problem with neighbour i knock on their door and talk to them, I don't make up false accusations and rat.
"The police seized "17 blackberry bushes, 15 okra plants, 14 tomatillo plants ... native grasses and sunflowers,"
Why? Are blackberry bushes illegal?
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dokunai
Cactus, Cannabis, Cubensis

Registered: 01/31/10
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: my3rdeye]
#18725196 - 08/18/13 10:31 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
my3rdeye said: I wouldn't want to live next to some white trash neighbour with junked cars in the yard. But a farm who gives a shit? If I have a problem with neighbour i knock on their door and talk to them, I don't make up false accusations and rat.
"The police seized "17 blackberry bushes, 15 okra plants, 14 tomatillo plants ... native grasses and sunflowers,"
Why? Are blackberry bushes illegal?
They were apparently too close to the curb or unlicensed or something. If someone made the call to approve the expense to send out SWAT they have to come back with something, else the little piggy might be accountable for a bullshit raid. I'm just really surprised they didn't plant a few joints or grams of weed in individual baggies to get a distribution charge.
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Camwritesgonzo
The Unflushable Stool



Registered: 06/09/12
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: dokunai]
#18725298 - 08/18/13 10:53 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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So, if the "red-blooded, good ol' boy" American government is so against what are construed as extreme penalties associated with Muslim-dominated countries, why are they fighting so hard to try and create extreme penalties reminiscent of those associated with Muslim-dominated countries? Logic has flown the coop.
-------------------- "I've always maintained that reality is for those who can't face drugs."-Tom Waits "I feel the same way about disco as I feel about herpes."-Hunter S. Thompson A squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag is fast and bulbous, got me?
 
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dokunai
Cactus, Cannabis, Cubensis

Registered: 01/31/10
Posts: 1,878
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: Camwritesgonzo]
#18725367 - 08/18/13 11:16 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Camwritesgonzo said:
So, if the "red-blooded, good ol' boy" American government is so against what are construed as extreme penalties associated with Muslim-dominated countries, why are they fighting so hard to try and create extreme penalties reminiscent of those associated with Muslim-dominated countries? Logic has flown the coop.
You are correct, sir. The drug war has all the characteristics of zealotry and irrationality that the American government ascribes to Sharia law and muslim extremism. In both cases, any means are acceptable to reach the desired ends. Here in the US we don't blow ourselves up with dynamite vests, but we do give people 80 year prison sentences for growing a mostly harmless plant (see the recent happenings in Montana with medical MJ).
In this country we have a highly militarized police force that gets funding directly from depriving citizens of their assets. I would make a case that many police agencies couldn't care less about most drugs and drug users, except that they are given explicit privilege to confiscate, with immunity from redress from the offender, all assets they can lay their eyes on.
We have created multiple classes of citizens in a country that is supposed to be founded on equality. Being a former offender, or even just engaging in activity that can spuriously be labeled as suspicious at any time by any officer, is all that is required to begin the asset forfeiture process. I've seen police shows where they will search someone walking down the las vegas strip with $1000 and just take all of their fucking money with no receipt, no complaint #, and absolutely no recourse to obtain their funds back from the police. No fucking wonder they act the way they do. It's a power trip, and it will probably get you a brand new cruiser or maybe a helicopter for your department.
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jonnymushroom
the man of many teks

Registered: 07/27/13
Posts: 262
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: dokunai]
#18726059 - 08/19/13 05:43 AM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Your right, and the worst part is the gov. acts likes it ok to take from us and do and buy what they want. Why cant they see what they are doing they cant be that blind? You cant just take good people freedoms and money and laugh.
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Morel Guy
Stranger


Registered: 01/23/13
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: jonnymushroom]
#18726519 - 08/19/13 08:39 AM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Probably won't be long in the states for them to start using warrants and armed men, just to assess the property for tax purposes.
-------------------- "in sterquiliniis invenitur in stercore invenitur" In filth it will be found in dung it will be found
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jonnymushroom
the man of many teks

Registered: 07/27/13
Posts: 262
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: Morel Guy]
#18727098 - 08/19/13 11:26 AM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yep that's what the states are coming to. But it was never meant to be that way either .I don't understand some of the people you see on tv, just going with it thinking it is in all of our best interest, but it not some of us can take care of our self and protect our stuff with out all this shit that that takes our freedom away.
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides


Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: jonnymushroom] 1
#18727128 - 08/19/13 11:34 AM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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When the military becomes the police, the people become the enemy .
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jonnymushroom
the man of many teks

Registered: 07/27/13
Posts: 262
Loc: dugg in somewere
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: Le_Canard]
#18729193 - 08/19/13 07:02 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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I wonder how many people in the US feel that the government has gone to far?
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dokunai
Cactus, Cannabis, Cubensis

Registered: 01/31/10
Posts: 1,878
Loc: Hyphal Heights, USA
Last seen: 7 years, 4 months
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: Le_Canard]
#18730420 - 08/19/13 11:29 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
ToiletDuk said: When the military becomes the police, the people become the enemy . 

Well put.
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veda_sticks
Cultivator




Registered: 07/29/07
Posts: 14,191
Loc: UK
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Re: Texas Police Hit Organic Farm with Massive SWAT Raid [Re: jonnymushroom]
#18732908 - 08/20/13 03:34 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
jonnymushroom said: It is bull shit there is not excuse for those kind of actions. This is a free country and we should be safe in our country from unreasonable search and seizures and we are not any more, cuz they can make up anything now to do so and it should be stopped the men that died for our freedoms here would not believe this mess that is going on here in US.And our government should be ashamed.
sorry but if you believe you live in a free country.... your wrong.
nowhere is free.
theres a rule and a regulation for just about everything these days, and if there isnt they will make one soon, then theres loopholes for the smart and rich and powerfull to slink there way through.
we are not free
-------------------- PF TEK - writeup by EvilMushroom666 Lets Grow Mushrooms - RogerRabbit & RoadKills website with sample videos plus the full PF TEK video series. Alot of great information - BUY THE DVD Cakes can and will pin! - So you think cakes suck for pins. Your wrong Franks Simple Coir/Verm Tek Franks Proper Pasturisation Tek Franks Spawning To Bulk - Monotub Professor Pinheads RTV Injection Port Tek Foo Mans No Soak WBS Prep Tek
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