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centipad
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Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan
#19010975 - 10/21/13 10:02 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/10/prosecutors_ask_to_dismiss_cha.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The government has asked that charges be dismissed in an alleged multi-county marijuana operation until police finish compiling evidence to present to a grand jury.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Courtade asked that charges be dismissed against 27 defendants as the investigation continues.
Police say the drug conspiracy used the state’s medical marijuana law as a cover. More than 160 officers, from Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Grand Traverse and Oceana counties, took part in the investigation.
Related: 'Doctor on the payroll,' $3,200 per pound marijuana involved in drug charges, feds allege
Related: Police: Medical marijuana law used as cover by large West Michigan drug ring
Related: Leader of multi-county marijuana operation planned $3 million harvest, DEA says
Courtade cited these reasons for dropping charges, at least for now:
• Police executed 28 search warrants on Oct. 16 and 17, resulting in seizures of drugs, and “several hundreds of other items of evidentiary value that must be itemized and cataloged."
• The government expects more than 50 police officers to file reports, detailing the searches and seizures and statements of witnesses and defendants.
•The government intercepted telephone calls between alleged co-conspirators until Oct. 15. More than 1,000 calls were intercepted, and are still being transcribed.
“The government cannot guarantee that the investigation will be completed and ready for grand jury review within the next 30 days, therefore rather than have the defendants subject to continued court jurisdiction and constraint, the United State’s Attorney’s Office believes that a dismissal of the complaint, pending grand jury review, is appropriate,” Courtade wrote.
The defendants had initial court appearances on Friday. All were released on personal-recognizance bonds.
Police say Shawn Taylor is the leader of a multi-county marijuana grow and distribution operation that used the state’s medical marijuana law as a cover. Taylor and his organization is accused of selling marijuana to distributors and social users. Those involved were part of Medical Marijuana Team, or MMT.
Taylor allegedly said he planned to harvest $3 million of marijuana, police said in court records.
He and his wife, Molly, opened up a store, In Do Grow, in Muskegon, selling equipment for indoor hydroponic growing and other supplies to grow marijuana, police said in court records.
Taylor allegedly told a confidential informant that his organization sells 45 ounces of marijuana a day.
“While Molly Taylor appears to be licensed by Michigan under the (medical marijuana law) to manufacture marijuana for her ‘patients,’ my investigation shows that Molly and Shawn Taylor, along with other members of this conspiracy, are using the MMMA as a ruse to illegally manufacture marijuana at numerous locations simultaneously and are selling the marijuana to persons who are not ‘patients,’ and in quantities in excess of that authorized by the MMMA,” Patrick Frederick, a Drug Enforcement Administration task force member, wrote in a 60-page complaint.
Edited by centipad (10/21/13 10:14 PM)
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Camwritesgonzo
The Unflushable Stool



Registered: 06/09/12
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Re: Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan [Re: centipad]
#19011094 - 10/21/13 10:32 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Damn, they sound like the GDF of bud!
-------------------- "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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downlowfunk
Retired Festival Veteran



Registered: 09/25/04
Posts: 880
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Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Re: Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan [Re: Camwritesgonzo]
#19012592 - 10/22/13 08:43 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Yeah but Nucky Thompson just spent 100k on hookers and blow for the feds. They'll probably drop this case.
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eyedea
Synaesthesiologist


Registered: 09/24/09
Posts: 563
Loc: The Central Scrutinizer
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Re: Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan [Re: Camwritesgonzo]
#19016793 - 10/22/13 10:41 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Camwritesgonzo said: Damn, they sound like the GDF of bud! 
Minus getting caught up..
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centipad
Stranger



Registered: 04/06/13
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Re: Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan [Re: eyedea]
#19017666 - 10/23/13 05:18 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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itz4allofus
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Registered: 07/11/13
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Re: Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan [Re: centipad]
#19018849 - 10/23/13 11:20 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Michigan has approximately 300,000 ex-convicts, a large number of which did time for Marijuana. Can anyone imagine what could possibly happen,there and across the country, if the Government doesnt deal effectively with legalization, NOW? Anyone ever hear of the "Moonshiner mentality"? How about a large portion of Americans with that, "god damn guberment" mind set. Remember to register and vote folks, next candidate that promises to legalize wins.
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LSDylan
bass music enjoyer



Registered: 05/26/10
Posts: 4,992
Loc: Michigan
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Re: Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan [Re: itz4allofus]
#19025411 - 10/24/13 12:31 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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The prosecutor is just going to drop the charges after a year+ investigation with nearly 30 defendants? Dat shit cray
-------------------- DanceSafe | Voluntaryism
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itz4allofus
Stranger
Registered: 07/11/13
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Re: Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan [Re: LSDylan]
#19026075 - 10/24/13 02:31 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Think about it What is really happening, here, in America? Whose being honest anymore? Does'nt it seem like some kind of wacky intelligence test? Whose stupid?
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Adden

Registered: 06/04/03
Posts: 39,201
Loc:
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Re: Prosecutors ask to dismiss charges in alleged medical marijuana ruse for now -michigan [Re: itz4allofus]
#19029085 - 10/25/13 12:07 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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"ruse", lol
Hello, 1930
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