Pubdate: Fri, 15 Apr 2005
Source: Saipan Tribune (US MP)
Copyright: 2005 Saipan Tribune
Contact:  http://www.saipantribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2666
Author: John Ravelo
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

RAID NETS MORE POT

CNMI and federal operatives raided another marijuana farm on Saipan,
seizing some $300,000 worth of cannabis plants, the Department of
Public Safety said yesterday.

On Wednesday morning, law enforcers discovered the marijuana farm in
Talafofo, a village near the seat of government on Capitol Hill, after
receiving tips from the community, according to DPS spokesman Eric
David.

The raid is the third in about a week by the CNMI-Drug Enforcement
Administration Task Force, which included the DPS' Special
Investigation Section.

Task force operatives raided the farm at about 10am and seized about
60 marijuana plants, which ranged in height from 3 to 13 feet.

Marijuana, colloquially known as "pot," has become one of the commonly
abused substance in the CNMI. Each marijuana stick has a street value
of about $5.

Last Saturday, the task force also raided another marijuana farm in
Koblerville and seized about 270 plants valued at $200,000. The raid
followed another operations at a Kagman II farm, where task force
members seized some 64 marijuana plants.

David said yesterday that no one has been arrested so far in
connection with the raids, including the one in Talafofo. He said,
however, that investigation is ongoing, as probers suspect that farm
owners might have the intent to distribute marijuana. He declined to
name the owners of the properties where the marijuana plants were seized.

David, who is also the CNMI's Crime Stoppers coordinator, urged those
who might have tips for law enforcers to call 234-7272. Tips can also
be submitted online at the Crime Stoppers' website at
www.nmicrimestoppers.com. The Crime Stoppers also takes tips in over
150 languages.

Crime Stoppers pays rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to
an arrest. Caller ID is never used and all calls and online tips
remain anonymous.

Since its inception on April 18, 1989, the CNMI's Crime Stoppers
program has received tips that resulted in the solution of 210 cases,
including two homicide cases. Law enforcers made a total of 167
arrests, resulting in more than $10,000 in payments of rewards to
informants. The tips also led to the seizure of over $2.5 million
worth of narcotics and property 
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