Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jul 2005
Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph (WV)
Copyright: 2005 Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Contact:  http://www.bdtonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1483
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

WAR ON MARIJUANA

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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth