Pubdate: Sun, 19 Aug 2001
Source: Record, The (CA)
Copyright: 2001 The Record
Contact:  http://www.recordnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/428
Author: Staff and wire reports
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

MARIJUANA RETURNED TO MANTECA GROWER

Manteca police gave David Willson's pot plants back Thursday, about 18 
months after officers raided his home, seizing marijuana and other property.

Law enforcement officials in the south San Joaquin County city expressed 
disappointment and vowed to continue to bust residents possessing drugs 
deemed illegal.

Police officials released growing equipment and several guns Aug. 3, after 
San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge K. Peter Saiers ordered the return 
of all the property taken from Willson's rural Manteca home. But officials 
held onto the marijuana while considering an appeal.

Thursday, Willson picked up 5 pounds of marijuana, including dried buds and 
174 plants, at the police station after his lawyer threatened to press 
contempt-of-court charges.

In a written statement, Police Chief Charles Halford said he was not happy.

Police called it one of the biggest cultivation cases in the city's history.

In June, a jury acquitted Willson and his wife, Lisa Marie Willson, of 
cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. David Willson, a building 
contractor, said he grew the pot to treat severe headaches and anxiety.

"It's been the law since November 1996 that medical marijuana is not 
contraband," said William Logan, Willson's lawyer.

Manteca narcotics detective Steve Harris said the decision was a hard pill 
to swallow, but it doesn't change the department's responsibility to uphold 
the law.

"We are still going to do our job arresting bad guys and throwing them in 
jail," Harris said.

On Friday, officers made three drug arrests, he said.

Police arrested 30-year-old Jason Sewell in the 100 block of Sycamore 
Avenue after they reportedly found nearly $10,000 worth of methamphetamine 
in his possession.

Officers also arrested Baltazar Hernandez, 24, and Rodrigo Niteo, 23, at an 
apartment complex in the 700 block of Stewart Street on charges of 
possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana for sale. -- ---- Dale 
Gieringer (415) 563-5858  //  2215-R Market St. #278, San 
Francisco CA 94114
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