Agents find thousands of pot plants on Weyerhaeuser property
Sunday, August 31, 2008 9:48 AM PDT
By The Daily News
Printable version
E-mail this articleIn one of the larger marijuana seizures in Cowlitz County history, authorities snuffed out a multi-million dollar pot-growing operation on Weyerhaeuser land north of the Kalama River last week, the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force announced Saturday.
Agents found most of the 5,350 marijuana plants — worth more than $2 million — in a single location off Kalama River Road, about eight miles east of Interstate 5, according to a press release from the task force.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents spotted the marijuana from the air.
A "conservative estimate" for the plants' street value is $2.5 million, said Tim Watson, a detective with the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force who helped with the seizure.
No arrests have been made, Watson said. Agents believe suspects left the area shortly before law enforcement members entered the grow site, according the press release.
Weyerhaeuser has not yet assessed the damage to its property, according to the press release.
At least two people were camped out at the grow site to keep an eye on the crop, officials said. "They established a camp and had been staying there for several months solely to tend on the plants," Watson said.
Detectives found a small battery-operated radio with the sound still audible from headphones, according to the press release. They also found drying marijuana buds, handgun ammunition, a .22-caliber air rifle, a jacket, trimming tools and extensive cooking and camping supplies.
bluE wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:25 AM:
" sad that we are still living in a world where plants are banned, its like the witch trials... hey did you folks know that MILK THISTLE is also BANNED in the state of WA? yeah well it is, its considered a "NOXIOUS WEED" but in Canada and most everywhere else it is known as one of the most beneficial herbs on the market in the fight against liver disease... strange huh? "
Rosey Glasses wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:13 AM:
" now if weyerhouser had actually harvested the plants and used them to make paper products... they might find that the damage was well worth it! go figure.... imagine! The legalization and sales of the plants, plus the use of the stalks and such for paper products could bring up the revenue! What a waste of tax dollars. "
DUH wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:42 AM:
" If it were legal, sales tax alone on this one harvest would have netted the state about $187,000 or more. But they'd rather not think of that and charge the tax payers for these ridiculous busts. Why make us spend money when the state could be profiting heavily? If it were legal, when these grow operations are found, the harvest could be added to inventory. Pure profit. The state didn't pay anybody to grow it. "
WsuCoug wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:44 AM:
" Hemp and marijuana are two different plants although they are closely related. "
bmoc wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:49 AM:
" 5350 down, 10 billion more to go - meanwhile, my habits go unchanged. "
castlerockreader wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:59 AM:
" I am just a little confused...Why didn't they time their raid to catch the growers??? Isn't this the second time in about a month they have recovered the "grow" and not the "growers"? "
Rosey Glasses wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:06 AM:
" I know they are different and related.... but the fact is that the buds can be sold, controlled and the rest can be used as fiber for paper products. More can be harvested per year that using trees.... better for economy and environment. I still say give me a break. "
berryjewels wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:31 AM:
" just this month alone think about the all the money the Task Force says that these plants could have brought in and then put taxes on it..that is a lot of money for our State. Then look at everything the sale of this product could have helped fixed, our school programs for one! "
tobo6 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:58 AM:
" Most of you don't think about the other aspect to pot grows. Sure if it was legal people would be happy, sure if it was taxed that would benefit many.
But...You forget the fact that these grow areas are being protected by "armed" guards. Mostly illegal immigrants who won't take the chance to be caught. Your kids, your family member could innocently walk into the area where these guards are. People who live near these areas are watched. The wildlife is poisoned, so they don't bother the crop. The water source that these growers use is usually contaminated because they mix their chemicals to fertilize in the water, before irrigating.
Its a lot to think about, but you do need to think of both sides, and not just the thought that having legalized pot is one big party. "
But...You forget the fact that these grow areas are being protected by "armed" guards. Mostly illegal immigrants who won't take the chance to be caught. Your kids, your family member could innocently walk into the area where these guards are. People who live near these areas are watched. The wildlife is poisoned, so they don't bother the crop. The water source that these growers use is usually contaminated because they mix their chemicals to fertilize in the water, before irrigating.
Its a lot to think about, but you do need to think of both sides, and not just the thought that having legalized pot is one big party. "
DUH wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:20 AM:
" On three busts in the last 2 weeks the total value has been placed at roughly 63.4 million dollars at street value. IF it were legal, the state would have made roughly 6,755.000 off of a 7.5% sales tax alone. Top that with a state imposed tax on the product itself, we are talking MEGA Millions in revenue for the state that could be used to fight meth, heroin, cocain, and fund school programs. Instead, the state don't make a dime other than what they charge us taxpayers to investigate and pull up these plants. They aren't even making arrests in 90% of the busts. A waste of time, effort, and taxpayer money. I think it's time we JUST SAY NO! And no, I am not a pothead. Have never smoked it in my life. "
bryana wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:52 AM:
" Even if it was legal to grow marijuana it still wouldn't be legal to grow it on Weyerhaeuser property. "
louie wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:20 PM:
" First plants found growing on Longview Fibre land and now Weyerhaeuser land. Don't these companies ever monitor their land?
Yes, that is a whole lot of lost tax revenue we certainly could use if Marijuana was legally sold and taxed. "
Yes, that is a whole lot of lost tax revenue we certainly could use if Marijuana was legally sold and taxed. "
CONCERENED wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:23 PM:
" THATS OK , THE KPD IS RAISING MONEY FOR THEIR MOLDY BUILDING!!! WHAT A COVER , LOL , IM JOKING , DONT GET UPSET WITH ME LOL
IN TIME IM SURE THEY WILL FIND THE GUILTY PARTY OR PARTIES AND MAKE THE ARREST THATS DUE, BUT I DO AGREE , THEY SHOULD LEGALIZE IT, BUT THEN THE TASK FORCE WOULD BE DISBANDED TO SO THAT WONT HAPPEN LOL "
IN TIME IM SURE THEY WILL FIND THE GUILTY PARTY OR PARTIES AND MAKE THE ARREST THATS DUE, BUT I DO AGREE , THEY SHOULD LEGALIZE IT, BUT THEN THE TASK FORCE WOULD BE DISBANDED TO SO THAT WONT HAPPEN LOL "
South of the river wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:02 PM:
" tobo6: Lets see, illegals doing the work, damage to the water table, damage to the local wildlife... sounds like standard agro-business to me! Just legalize it and they wont need the armed guards. "
Common Sense 24 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:34 PM:
" Sure are a lot of loser potheads on here posting for legalization. Anyone who wants to legalize it is clearly a pothead or has smoked so much of it in the past that they don't have any mental capacity left. Since all you potheads want to legalize it, why not legalize meth and cocaine too? Why stop there? We can legalize heroin and prostitution and tax them all. Wow, look at all the lost revenue. The schools and other government organizations could easily be better off if they didn't throw away our tax money frivolously on foolish things. Just look at Duh's math for a prime example of the mental remains of dope smokin. Who in their right mind would want to go to work, especially in a place with heavy equipment, right next to some doper and take a chance on getting killed or injured. That is what you dopeheads do not understand. I don't want to work next to you or even have to deal with you. When your poor choices put my health and safety on the line, that is where I draw the line. If you want to throw your life in the toilet with drugs, go find a gutter somewhere and do it by yourself. Some of us find joy in actually having a life. "
mole wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:41 PM:
" tobo6:to late weyerhauser,fertilizes allready.A smart grower plants where water is easy to get,or an area that stays wet in the summer.the reason the grower is gone is because he watches you,and then runs when the cops come. never to come back.POISONING,THE WILDLIFE,WHERE ARE THE DEAD ANIMALS??The ,pot has no ill effect on deer or elk, or they would not eat it!!!ARMED GUARDS,!!! LETS SEE,A "BUST" FOR A GROW OPERATION AS COMPARED TO ATTEMPTED MURDER!!!!! THESE GROWERS ARE NOT STUPID!!! A FEW MONTHS IN THE COUNTY AS LIFE IN PRISON!!!YOU HAVE WATCHED WAY TO MANY "WALKER TEXAS RANGER"PROGRAMS!!! "
bmoc wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:41 PM:
" Don't legalize illegal growing - legalize legal growing. Ta Da - no more mafia with guns in the private and public forests - and a business you can put environmental regulations on. It's already the top cash crop in the country. Nothing is gonna change that. It just so happens that all the profits go to black market dealers. But if six out of ten people want it that way, I guess we can continue wasting tax dollars. Like I said, I'm still smokin'! "
DUH wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:26 PM:
" Hey Common Sense 24..."Just look at Duh's math for a prime example of the mental remains of dope smokin" You obviously didn't read my entire comment. I have never in my life smoked marijuana. And what's wrong with my math? Common Sense 24 is wound so tight you couldn't pull a needle out of his/her butt with a tractor. Legalizing it wouldn't mean you could smoke it out on the street in public, before work, or during work. Make the same laws for alcohol applicable for pot. Must be 21 to purchase. Can't appear in public after consuming, can't drive while under the influence. And so on. I am getting damn tired of all the self-righteous do-gooders showing their mentality by resorting to immature grade school name calling when somebody has an opinion that differs from your own. Grow up already! "
Tired of it wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:35 PM:
" Commom Sense 24 said it all.100% correct. And you all know its true. "
imho wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:45 PM:
" Duh... don't pay any attention to No Common Sense...people like that are either 1)the one's secretly using or 2) prefer the alcohol...either way, you can't reason with those types. (They also believe that the local newspaper is gospel and believe everything that is written.) All these alleged pot grow busts and yet the meth lab near my elderly mothers house still operates without fear. I can see where LE priorities are. P.S. However, I did enjoy the tractor comment. "
DUH wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:33 PM:
" I hear ya imho. A police officer explained it to me one time saying... "The ones that scream pothead the loudest are either former potheads turned self-righteous, or ARE potheads that don't want anybody to think that they are. What they don't realize is that their screams give them away". Common Sense 24, your screams are hurting our ears. "
opinionated wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:35 PM:
" Common Sense 24 , you more than likely work next to someone who uses marijuana or even worse . Comparing it to meth , cocaine or heroin just shows your complete lack of knowledge . Marijuana smokers work everywhere you can think of from Mc Donalds to law enforcement and elected government officials . Not everybody who smokes pot goes to work high . Most wait until they get home . This prohibition of a plant that has so many positive uses is ludacris . It can be substituted for many of the medications used today without all the harmful side effects . It can be used to make products like paper , rope , clothing and the list goes on and on . You may believe all the stereo types and B.S. government propaganda about marijuana smokers but that's just what it is , B.S. Sure some people might abuse it but thats the same with anything . Alcohol is legal but not everybody who drinks comes to work or drives drunk . People who are against legalization are just people who are against rational thinking . Nobody's going to hold you down and force you to smoke a joint if it's legalized , you have nothing to be afraid of ... lol . P.S. I also have a problem with law enforcement always lying about the street value of the crops they bust . I bet this crop was worth $500,000 at the VERY most . "
tobo6 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:36 PM:
" Mole- Its not from watching tv. We lived through a crop grow in the woods behind us. We lost one dog and one cat, before we found out they set out rat poison and antifreeze to keep the deer, rabbits, and mice away from the crops. It was too late for my animals who were poisoned on my own land by these jerks. "
mole wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:50 PM:
" IF THERE WAS A GROW THAT CLOSE,YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD THEM BUSTED,POISONING ANIMALS IS NOT,WHAT ANY OF US ON THIS BLOG CONDONES[SP].If all of us brain dead pot smokers,would be allowed,ten plants,the perverted person who grew behind your place,would not have a "MARKET".NOBODY IS GOING TO CHANGE THIER MINDS NO MATTER WHAT WE THINK!!!! JUST THINK,IF ALL VEGETABLE EATERS GREW WHAT THEY CONSUMED,NO NEED TO BUY VEGETABLES!!!OH BY THE WAY,YOU WEREN'T LUCKY ENOUGH TO CATCH THEM WERE YOU.NOSENSE TO POISON WHEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS "PEE" AROUND THE AREA!!!THAT OTHER STUFF DON'T WORK!!!!that texas ranger thing was a joke. "
cadillaccreepin' wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:00 PM:
" with all the busts latley i wonder where all the bud they "destroy" really is? "
crowsfeet wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:11 PM:
" I doubt the value of the boo, the climate here is not conducive for high quality resin production, Skunk weed at best. "
justa_name wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:31 PM:
" commensense, your comments are proof of how ignorant you are. What are you going to do if marijuana is legalized? stay in doors for fear a pothead might raid your grocery kart?! just like DUH said not everyone drives high or goes to work stoned. I DO work around heavy equipment and machines and I know the necessary safety needed around them. I do not go to work stoned and never will. Most "potheads" or "loser stoners" you like to call us, are responsible people. I always take my co-works, along with my own safety very seriously, But that doesnt mean i cant enjoy a bowl when I get off of work. And to contribute to your PARANOIA,there are many people that smoke pot and you wouldnt know it. In fact I'm sure you work with plenty of them. Better quit your job right? "
transplant wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:52 PM:
" Marihuana is a Schedule I drug, listed in the same catagory for potential addiction and as heroin and PCP. It's not a depressant, it's a hallucinagen, with similar phychoactive qualities as LSD. Anyone who says it's a medicine is a liar, as there are studies to support studies that refute this dribble. And anyone who believes it should be legalized for the tax revenue is a bigger nut than those folks who smoke it. Drink the Kool-Aid when it's passed around. "
country gal wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:10 AM:
" castlerockreader: very interesting question because I was thinking the same thing, too. The only ones that I can think of that was caught not too long ago was the illegal immigrant whose visa was expired and was I think deported to Canada (darn I can't remember but something like that). Otherwise, the majority of the time they seized the plants but not the 'growers'. Still a waste of taxpayer's money on an 'organic' plant that is no different than grape or blackberry or dandelion that makes wine. "
stu63 wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:22 PM:
" The arguement is a moot point as you are all right to a degree concerning your bias opinions. pot will never be legal. There is no way a big pharma is going to allow it to be legal. You call growers armed mafia. (yeah right) The only reason it will never be legal is because big pharma (mafia) would rather sell you a pain killer or a valium at a huge profit than allow you to cut into thier bottom line by growing and smoking your own "
MTMAN wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:20 PM:
" Common Since 24 said it all. Alot of pot heads around. There nothing but a bunch of loosers. No wounder this world is going down hill. If these pot heads here loose one more brain cell we are talking MONKEY. "
roudy russ wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:32 PM:
" Hey transplant, I did some research and look what I found. Schedule II drugs -- still considered to have high abuse potential but with accepted medical uses and considered safe for use under medical supervision -- include cocaine, morphine and methamphetamine. That's right, federal law currently classifies marijuana as more dangerous than methamphetamine . Your so called facts are worthless and by the way I do not use any drugs. "
bmoc wrote on Sep 1, 2008 3:26 PM:
" if you think pot and LSD produce similar results, you are crazy - just because the govt classifies them together is pointless. The same govt gives the thumbs up to a variety of deadly drugs for prescription use - and don't forget about booze and tobacco, the biggest killers of all. The only thing pot ever killed was pain, nausea, loss of apetite. "
beazelbud wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:39 PM:
" Hey, Common Sense 24, you should change your name to THE OPPRESSOR. I smell bacon all over you. Your name just does'nt fit you. Common sense would tell you that proabition does'nt work in a free society. So do all of us pot heads and freedom fighters a break, change your name and pull your head out. "
beazelbud wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:02 PM:
" Hey transplant, what you said makes no sense. Have you ever tried it? I suffer from a disc dieses in my spine that effects my nerves and is very painful. I used oxycontin for my pain for a long time and was sick all the time from it. I hated life and wished god would take me out so I did'nt have to suffer anymore from cronic pain. Cannabis has changed all the above in my life. I thank god for putting it on this earth for me. Im sorry if that upsets you but Im not hurting you or anyone else by my use of this plant. So for you to try and say it's all bad is lol funny. "
beazelbud wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:38 PM:
" So many opressor's on here. Are we in 1942 nazi germany. Thats rite, were in the free contry called the U.S.A. and even the opressor's have the rite to there opinions. People that want to control others is wrong, let people do as they will as long as they are not hurting others. If the victimizer is on drugs, and claims that the drugs made him do it, they still have broke the law by hurting someone whether it be civil or criminal they should pay. To throw people in jail with murderers, rapist, theives and victimizers just becase they choose to use a plant for themselves is criminal in its own. Think about it....... words from a stoner. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:27 PM:
" Great job by the Task Force. Drugs that won't be making it onto school grounds. And of course it has brought out all the stoned out Libearls saying how great it would be to legalize it. I will say this once again, all you have to is collect 125,000 valid voting signatures. Then we can all vote on it. And I'll give you 5 percentage points that you will lose. I'm safe because the vote against would be between 62 an 66 percent if not much higher. Of course since pot robs you of your ability to focus and think, I doubt you will try to collect the signatures. All you can do is come in here and spout your propaganda about legalization. Never gonna happen. "
AnotherLameOpinion wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:12 AM:
" TDN Bad Boy: One of the main reasons it won't be legalized is because the only "potheads" willing to speak out for it are the ones with nothing to lose. This also translates to the ones with the fewest brain cells. Often, people who should never have smoked it in the first place. If your not too bright to begin with, drinking, or smoking, or any of that is just going to enhance stupidity. Therein lies the problem. The people everyone sees representing "smokers" are usually the dumb ones with nothing to lose. In their enthusiasm to help the cause, they just make all stoners look like tards. Trust me, not all who smoke are stupid!!! "
mole wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:46 AM:
" THE NON-SMOKERS IN THIS BLOG ACTUALLY THINK,OUR PAIN,CANCER,AILMENTS WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IS FAKE!!! JUST BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET HIGH!!!! GET SIGNATURES,DON'T NEED TO.I WILL SMOKE AND LAUGH AT YOUR BIAS SHORT MINDED ATTITUDES,AND LIGHT ANOTHER JOINT!!!![I have many more brain cells to burn,lots more to go!!!! "
beazelbud wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:13 PM:
" lol, tdn bad boy, your a joke. You must love telling others how to live there lives. This stoner collected thousands of signatures in seattle for I-692 in 1996 and it passed in 1998 and is still an active law today. So be carful what you say. If you don't know the facts, you look like the dummy missing brain cells. LOL "
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