The War On...Salad? Drug Warriors Stage A Pot Raid -- Oops -- On An Okra Farm
Matt Agorist writes for The Free Thought Project:
Arlington, TX -- In an effort to protect the citizens of Texas, a massive military-style raid was conducted on the Garden of Eden organic farm and commune.On August 2, 2013, nearly two dozen heavily armed SWAT officers stormed this peaceful farm in search of a plant. They found lots of plants, but much to their dismay, they did not find the plant they were looking for.
Countless tax dollars and months of half-cocked planning went down the drain that day after it was discovered that police incompetence had led these troops into a battle to which there can be no victor.
...After their 20 soldiers had stormed the garden, the Arlington police found not one single gram of marijuana.
What they did find, however, was a myriad of fruits and vegetables; and they seized them. After seemingly disgusted in themselves for such an ignorant and ill-conceived plan, the officers heroically proceeded to confiscate, "17 blackberry bushes, 15 okra plants, 14 tomatillo plants ... native grasses and sunflowers."
Since they couldn't arrest anyone for growing pot, these public servants decided that they didn't want to go home empty-handed, so they began writing citations for code violations, like untrimmed bushes and tires laying around. Then they arrested a member of the commune, Quinn Eaker, for an outstanding traffic ticket.
Now, just over two years later, the Garden of Eden farm is seeking damages, and rightfully so. This peaceful group was held at gunpoint and terrorized for hours because of the incompetence of the Arlington PD and the immoral nature of the war on drugs.
The video:
And she's right -- this can happen to anyone. And we are all in this together. Or we should be.
I remember this case, back when it happened. It makes no more sense today than it did then. War on hippies - the cops were just figuring that they would find something. The commune is lucky the cops didn't come prepared to plant evidence.
While I hope the commune wins the lawsuit, it will once again be the local residents who pay the bill, while the real culprits take a couple of days of paid administrative leave.
a_random_guy at August 25, 2015 2:47 AM
Another example of allowing political hacks stay in office. Hold the Mayor accountable and watch the heads roll.
Bob in Texas at August 25, 2015 5:23 AM
Oh, come on Amy. Everyone knows that okra plants are conducting a war on cops. And you don't want to just wound an okra plant. You've got to put those bastards down.
Mike at August 25, 2015 6:32 AM
To people with that sort of personality (the cops, that is), a basic principle of life is not ever admitting that you were wrong about anything, ever. "We raided you, therefore you must have done something wrong. QED."
Cousin Dave at August 25, 2015 6:53 AM
One of my cats bit me and I needed a doctor visit for a shot. Doc had to report it and a cop came to 'investigate'.
Spent a LONG time explaining that I scared MY INDOOR cat and it bit me once.
Thought the guy was dense until I realized he was on a treasure hunt. What could he find illegal?
Stopped talking. Stopped being polite. Shut up and waited him out. Lesson learned and I bet Blacks go through this a lot.
Bob in Texas at August 25, 2015 7:06 AM
Bob,
Anyone with contact with investigators go through that. Color of your skin really doesn't matter. Money and education do because bullies like that fear other bullies (your lawyer).
My parents got audited by the IRS a few years back. The agent repeatedly 'lost' documents. Thankfully my parents never handed him the originals he demanded. And after the first time they sent everything registered mail so they had his signature that he got it (he lied about that too). He was intently interested in who mowed their lawn (looking for an illegal to shake down) and any other cash purchases. He repeatedly tried to claim my sister didn't exist despite reams of evidence she did. In the end my father did the math and figured out he overpaid 5 years ago by about $100. Once my dad laid out the evidence and referred the investigator to his lawyer the guy was out of there like greased lightning. The investigator had no interest in investigating what triggered the audit. It was a complete fishing expedition.
Ben at August 25, 2015 7:19 AM
I'm trying to figure out why on earth a cop needs to investigate a cat bite. I understand reporting gun shot wounds, but ... cat bites? I'm not following that logic I guess.
gooseegg at August 25, 2015 9:13 AM
Gooseegg, Henrico Co., Va. think maybe rabies? Never understood but the doc in a box gave a heads up so I was aware something was going to happen.
In hindsight the guy was a real ass, esp. since I explained everything over the phone to him before he came out.
Too much time. Too little supervision. Too much Blue Line. Big difference from '70's when I got stopped for having a tryke. They were a least curious but not overly concerned since it was titled and inspected.
Bob in Texas at August 25, 2015 9:51 AM
"I'm trying to figure out why on earth a cop needs to investigate a cat bite."
FOR THE CHILDRENZ!
Cousin Dave at August 25, 2015 10:36 AM
I'd rather my child grow an acre of marijuana than have that haircut; but I recognize that neither should be illegal, much as I despise the latter.
Kevin at August 25, 2015 1:52 PM
I had no idea the Golgafrinchan officer, "Number Two" was still alive.
"...and we interrogated... a gazelle!"
Radwaste at August 25, 2015 5:37 PM
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