Activists set up Police - Fake grow house in Odessa TX

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Harvey

Originally posted by: sandorski

Power Consumption or neighbours reporting suspiscious activity are the most likely reasons.

That's at least a questionable assumption in this case. The cops busted the sting house less than 24 hours after they turned on the grow lights.

The trap was set and less than 24 hours later, the Odessa narcotics unit raided the house only to find KopBuster's attorney waiting under a system of complex gadgetry and spy cameras that streamed online to the KopBuster's secret mobile office nearby.

Yeah, I'm thinking the anonymous letter came from KopBusters...

 

[Blackjack200]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
What a stupid waste of time and resources. Nothing useful can come of this, all the cops have to say is that they got an anonymous tip and they acted accordingly. Done.

I wonder if the "anonymous tip" said that the was heavily armed he would have been shot dead? Anonymous tips are bullshit fallback excuses.

Yeah, sometimes they are, but they are also a fundamental part of how the police does their job, they are very much needed. In scenarios like this though, it gives them an easy "out" that can't be verified.

This guy claims that judges can't issue a warrant based solely on an anonymous tip. That's pretty much the whole point of the sting.

 

[Blackjack200]

Double

 

[ProfJohn]

So...

They used a clergyman who can't be compelled to testify and had a lawyer waiting, who also can't be compelled to testify. At least they were smart about the set up. I am betting the letter was typed as well to prevent handwriting analysis.

 

[musicman64]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
So...

They used a clergyman who can't be compelled to testify and had a lawyer waiting, who also can't be compelled to testify. At least they were smart about the set up. I am betting the letter was typed as well to prevent handwriting analysis.

I'm really curious about the entire clergy thing - I thought the privilege only applied in regards to communications between the two, not when using the clergy as a mail drop.

The former cop seemed pretty adamant that it was infrared tech being used illegally....

I'm assuming at this point the police can produce said letter - wonder if the clergyman can testify as to the date received and delivered, might be interesting....



All in all, regardless of who sent the letter - I'm still surprised that it seems they got a warrant based on that and nothing else. Hopefully the rangers will investigate...

 

[smack Down]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
So...

They used a clergyman who can't be compelled to testify and had a lawyer waiting, who also can't be compelled to testify. At least they were smart about the set up. I am betting the letter was typed as well to prevent handwriting analysis.

Or the police used the clergyman because he can't be force to testify.

 

[Vette73]

anybody see this?

"At the same time, reaction at the Odessa Police Department leaves a bit to be desired, too. Coverage in this newspaper and its website, oaoa.com, has generated a lot of reader feedback. And when authorities started talking about subpoenas to investigate the identities of those who were posting comments on the website, it only raised more questions about the cops' respect for constitutional protections such as freedom of speech."


So talk bad about the police and they will get a subpoena for you.

 

[Zebo]

War on drugs is the biggest waste of resources and waste of lives in human history and as an added bonus has turned of police forces into Stormtroopers totally disconnected from communities they serve in and law breakers themselves. Not to mention leads to almost all crime in general - from brutal murders to protect lucrative territory and warez they sell to theft, extortion and robbery to obtain the artificially priced warez . Just discussting to continue this madness.


These guys are great for exposing one point of this disaster called 'the drug war'. :thumbsup:

 

[nobodyknows]

Originally posted by: yowolabi

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Originally posted by: PokerGuy

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
What a stupid waste of time and resources. Nothing useful can come of this, all the cops have to say is that they got an anonymous tip and they acted accordingly. Done.

I wonder if the "anonymous tip" said that the was heavily armed he would have been shot dead? Anonymous tips are bullshit fallback excuses.

Yeah, sometimes they are, but they are also a fundamental part of how the police does their job, they are very much needed. In scenarios like this though, it gives them an easy "out" that can't be verified.

Next time you cut me off in traffic, I'll find out where you live and report your pot growing operations. Hope you don't have a family dog...

Good point. Anonymous tips should have to have some sort of corroborating evidence before the police start busting down doors.

Or at least such tips should be used as sparingly as possible so as not to be seen as just an "excuse" being abused by police.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: Zebo
War on drugs is the biggest waste of resources and waste of lives in human history and as an added bonus has turned of police forces into Stormtroopers totally disconnected from communities they serve in and law breakers themselves. Not to mention leads to almost all crime in general - from brutal murders to protect lucrative territory and warez they sell to theft, extortion and robbery to obtain the artificially priced warez . Just discussting to continue this madness.


These guys are great for exposing one point of this disaster called 'the drug war'. :thumbsup:

Yea, it's a failed mess. Specifically, if weed wasn't illegal, there wouldn't be a black market for it. Since MOST people just want the weed, disconnecting weed buyers from the black market would destroy the black market itself. Since most common people get their hands on coke, crack, etc. from the same dealers who they get their weed from (or an associate of), making weed legal would create a valley between pot smokers and hard core drugs.

the logic behind the drug war is just mind boggling. all we need is more education and proper parenting. If people want to go eat sticks and dirt, let them. If they want to do drugs, let them. It's the market they get the drugs from which is most dangerous.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: Zebo
War on drugs is the biggest waste of resources and waste of lives in human history and as an added bonus has turned of police forces into Stormtroopers totally disconnected from communities they serve in and law breakers themselves. Not to mention leads to almost all crime in general - from brutal murders to protect lucrative territory and warez they sell to theft, extortion and robbery to obtain the artificially priced warez . Just discussting to continue this madness.


These guys are great for exposing one point of this disaster called 'the drug war'. :thumbsup:

Yea, it's a failed mess. Specifically, if weed wasn't illegal, there wouldn't be a black market for it. Since MOST people just want the weed, disconnecting weed buyers from the black market would destroy the black market itself. Since most common people get their hands on coke, crack, etc. from the same dealers who they get their weed from (or an associate of), making weed legal would create a valley between pot smokers and hard core drugs.

the logic behind the drug war is just mind boggling. all we need is more education and proper parenting. If people want to go eat sticks and dirt, let them. If they want to do drugs, let them. It's the market they get the drugs from which is most dangerous.

x2, not to mention that LE resources could be much better used going after violent criminals, as well as the extra space to keep violent offenders off the street either permanently or much longer.