Police and investigators go through a lot of resources trying to identify, track down and search properties that they believe are marijuana grow houses. Often, one of two undercover police units are involved in pursuing convictions related to drug crimes in Michigan. There may also be involvement from the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and various SWAT teams. With so much at stake and so many resources in use, authorities often seek the most aggressive punishment possible.
That can't happen, however, if police have violated a person's rights in their attempt to investigate alleged criminal activity. It is essential, then, to closely scrutinize these types of police raids and investigations so that a person's rights are protected. Without this type of examination, people can face unfair charges and convictions.
Police also don't want to see all their work go to waste. If they believe they have uncovered an enormous marijuana growing operation, they may miss some details in the pursuit of a conviction.
Recently, investigators pounced on what they believed was a major marijuana grow operation in Michigan. After noticing some tarps in a man's backyard, police sent a helicopter to get an aerial view of the property. They pounced on the property when the helicopter search reported chicken wire surrounding plants.
Police executed a search warrant where they found 60 marijuana plants growing in the backyard of two men. However, the caretaker of the property had a medical marijuana card. Unfortunately, while his paperwork was valid, he didn't have enough paperwork to go with the number of plants he had.
Even though his plants were confiscated, the man was not charged with any crime at the time of the search. Police say they want to eventually charge him with manufacturing marijuana, but whether that will happen or not remains to be seen.
Given the variety of factors involved in this and similar drug cases, it is typically beneficial for those facing charges to speak with an attorney. There are ways of challenging charges by analyzing police procedures in relation to a search and seizure of evidence.
Source: Fox17, "60 Plants Seized from Marijuana Grow Operation," Jonathan Seely, Aug. 25, 2012
1 Comment
Jonathan David
September 1, 2012 at 9:05 AM
According to MCL 333.26428(a)(2) "--in possession of a quantity of marihuana that was not more than was reasonably necessary to ensure the uninterrupted availability of marihuana for the purpose of treating or alleviating the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition; and" This was further defined by the Michigan Supreme Court in People v King on May 31st 2012. Stop the police from taking advantaged of uninformed caregivers... Who are allowed to have any amount, and still be protected from any penalty,
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