4,000 Pot Plants Discovered In Rural Elk County
A large pot growing operation is discovered in rural Elk County.
Reporter: Shawn Wheat
Story here: http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/4000_Pot_Plants_Discovered_In_Rural_Elk_County_126287483.html
(http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/4000_Pot_Plants_Discovered_In_Rural_Elk_County_126287483.html)
LOL...Well, I guess I was wrong...Economic development IS coming to Elk County! lol Pretty gutsy (or exceedingly stupid, take your pick), having it that close to town.
Cat, is was near Severy, a mile South of the Greenwood County line.
Frank, we aren't going to mention who else lives on Turkey Road. I wonder who owns that property now. Going to look it up pretty soon.
Quote from: Catwoman on July 28, 2011, 08:28:24 AM
LOL...Well, I guess I was wrong...Economic development IS coming to Elk County! lol Pretty gutsy (or exceedingly stupid, take your pick), having it that close to town.
I put an offer to purchase on that land several years ago. The area where the plants were located is quite secluded from view and ideal for such an effort... if you can stand the bugs. It's about 10 miles north of Howard... 1 south of the county line.
But you gotta wonder... with tents and camping evidence, why wasn't an effort to watch and catch the perpetrators undertaken? Surely the 'farmers' would have been back to harvest.
Quote from: frawin on July 28, 2011, 08:37:20 AM
Cat, is was near Severy, a mile South of the Greenwood County line.
Oh, sorry...I thought I read that it was just outside of Howard...My mistake...But still exceedingly stupid on their part, no matter where they were located. I'm sure they had been there but took off, when they heard people coming. Chickens!
Quote from: Catwoman on July 28, 2011, 08:28:24 AM
LOL...Well, I guess I was wrong...Economic development IS coming to Elk County! lol
Between this and undiscovered meth labs, you're probably right. Maybe we need to import a new economic development director.... from Mexico.
Cat, recently they had a big drug bust over around Nowata, OK and they said each plant had a street vale of $1500, that would make this one worth $6,000,000. I am amazed that this one was undetected for so long. I would think it would take a long time to plant and get it up where it was detected. On the news here recently it said they were catching more Marijuana growers because they were having to go to the plants daily to keep them watered.
Frank
Quote from: Wilma on July 28, 2011, 08:39:12 AM
I wonder who owns that property now. Going to look it up pretty soon.
Kenneth R. Ritter.
Source: Elk Rural Directory, Central Publishing, 2010
Quote from: frawin on July 28, 2011, 08:54:31 AM
Cat, recently they had a big drug bust over around Nowata, OK and they said each plant had a street vale of $1500, that would make this one worth $6,000,000.
Jeeze! Suppose they would consider a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Agreement? ???
Quote from: frawin on July 28, 2011, 08:54:31 AM
Cat, recently they had a big drug bust over around Nowata, OK and they said each plant had a street vale of $1500, that would make this one worth $6,000,000. I am amazed that this one was undetected for so long. I would think it would take a long time to plant and get it up where it was detected. On the news here recently it said they were catching more Marijuana growers because they were having to go to the plants daily to keep them watered.
Frank
Aww, the poor things...All that work gone up in smoke (isn't that what they do? Burn the fields?). Now, ya slackers, go get a decent job where you can put in that amount of work and have it count for something!
Quote from: Patriot on July 28, 2011, 08:55:20 AM
Kenneth R. Ritter.
Source: Elk Rural Directory, Central Publishing, 2010
Kenneth's Uncle Arky owned that for many years. I thought one of Arky's kids owned it, didn't realize his Nephew had purchased it.
Jeez, Jarhead, we're busted!
Larryj
Wonder if it's at all connected to the bust a couple of weeks ago just east of Beaumont.
Quote from: larryJ on July 28, 2011, 09:52:20 AM
Jeez, Jarhead, we're busted!
Larryj
Larryj
Holy crap Larry, leave me out of this one. I get into enough trouble on my own. I can't even go to the river to play with my yellow rubber Ducky without getting a ticket for "attempting to take fish by illegal method" :)
Quote from: Wilma on July 28, 2011, 08:39:12 AM
Frank, we aren't going to mention who else lives on Turkey Road. I wonder who owns that property now. Going to look it up pretty soon.
I agree Wilma, even thou there is a lot of brush and undergrowth on this land, it is right off of the highway that has a lot of traffic. Arky had some Farm land West of the House, that might be where they were farming the dope. Everytime I turned that corner over the last 40-50 years I was really disappointed to see how they had let the Cedars, Hedge and undergrowth take over that pasture.
Quote from: frawin on July 28, 2011, 09:29:10 AM
Kenneth's Uncle Arky owned that for many years. I thought one of Arky's kids owned it, didn't realize his Nephew had purchased it.
I think I am mistaken on this, Arky had a son named Richard and I think that Kenneth R. could be Richard that owns it.
If these "crops" have been under surveillance for some time, I would hope the officials could pinpoint some people who are involved............destroying the evidence is one thing, but hopefully they'll put a crunch on those who are tending the crops!!!!
I guess the economic developer is doing her job, way to go!!!!, When do I get my share?
In the Independence Daily Reporter an article about Elk County Sheriff's Office destroying 4,000 marijuana plants made the front page. Good job, sheriff's office. This agency worked from 3:00 a.m. Wednesday until 4 p.m. eradicating these plants that were obviously cultivated and were being tended by someone.
What I find very nice is that we got some news covereage. Maybe, just maybe this will detour someone else from planting anything in our county.
Here's the article word-for-word for those of you who do not get the paper.
MARIJUANA PLANTS DESTROYED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ELK CO. By Allen Smith, Staff Writer, published on Thursday, July 28, 2011, in the Independence Daily Reporter.
Nearly a dozen law enforcement agencies convered on a field about a quarter of a mile west of K-99 in Elk County and set fire to just under 4,000 marijuana plants that were growing there.
Elk County Sheriff Doug Hanks said late Wednesday afternoon his department had received a tip sometime last year abut the plants growing in the field on Turkey Road in Elk County and officers of several agencies have been keeping an eye of the field.
"We have not been lucky enough to catch anyone in the field, but the marijuana has been harvested recently," Hanks said.
In addition to the plants Hanks said some drying tables, some furniture and some "pretty crude shelter" was found at the scene today.
"We took it all out, he said. "We had a big fire burning and got rid of all that marijuana.
"The bad part is we weren't able to make any arrests and we don't know who the stuff belonged to," Hanks said.
He said the extrication of the plants began about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and concluded around 4 p.m.
Hanks said he did not know how much the marijuana would have been worth on the street.
Besides the Elk County Sheriff's Department, other agencies involved in the bust on Wednesday included: the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, ICE, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, Greenwood, Cowley and Chautauqua County Sheriff's Departments, Neodesha Police Department, the Kansas National Guard and the Kansas Highway Patrol provided helicopters for the effort.
In addition, Hanks said he had Eagle Med out of Wichita at the scene, along with the Elk County Emergency Medical Service personnel, the Elk County Rural Fire Department and the Elk County Road and Bridge Department provided a truck and front end loader.
Hanks encouraged Elk County residents to be on the lookout for suspicious activity that could be drug related and call his department at (620) 374-2108.
Have there been any arrests yet in this case?
Quote from: PrehistoricRez on September 01, 2011, 11:49:00 PM
Have there been any arrests yet in this case?
Nope, and there likely won't be. The culprits were never identified as I understand it.
Does that mean its someone of influence in this society and because they have a "name" they get a pass. Im sure someone came back looking for their stuff, why wasnt the area watched after the fact?
Our sheriff's department does not have the resources to do a 24/7 watch. If you are familiar with the area you can see that there are no good places for a stakeout. Any parked vehicle out there would be suspicious at any time of the day or night. As to a camera, that would also be hard to camouflage and expensive. I don't know for sure but I don't think there is anything left out there for anyone to go pick up.
Quote from Wilma :
As to a camera, that would also be hard to camouflage and expensive.
Nope Wilma. trail cams are easy to hide and fairly cheap. The Game Wardens have been known to use them with success.
I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT !!!!!! :(
Quote from: jarhead on September 03, 2011, 08:55:43 AM
Nope Wilma. trail cams are easy to hide and fairly cheap. The Game Wardens have been known to use them with success.
I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT !!!!!! :(
I can verify that... Jar must have hundreds of pictures of feral cats poopin and scoopin in his bean patch! LOL
Quote from: Wilma on September 03, 2011, 07:51:00 AM
As to a camera, that would also be hard to camouflage and expensive. I don't know for sure but I don't think there is anything left out there for anyone to go pick up.
Poppycock. for 35.99 i can setup wireless camera to videotape the entire area. Its good for 300 yards to a laptop. Just hook it up to 4 car batteries wired in series and you get a weeks worth of video!
Sheesh that would be a good use of TAXPAYER FUNDS! Hey i'll tell yall what. IF YOU GUYS WANT a good surveillance system for just this use, i'll build yall one, and include a service agreement, as well as train someone to set it up OR i can set it up where ever they wish it to be set up for a small fee.
This raises another question? Isn't it illegal to set up a surveillance camera on someone else's property? Of course, it wouldn't be hard to get a warrant to do this and how do we know that it hasn't been done? Just because no one has been caught doesn't mean that the case has just been let go. After all, as Janet used to tell me, "That is sheriff business, Momma," and it is a current investigation which means that it isn't talked about.
If it were my operation I wouldn't be going back to see what I could salvage. I wouldn't leave anything of value there anyway.
Quote from: Wilma on September 03, 2011, 10:36:09 AM
This raises another question? Isn't it illegal to set up a surveillance camera on someone else's property? Of course, it wouldn't be hard to get a warrant to do this and how do we know that it hasn't been done? Just because no one has been caught doesn't mean that the case has just been let go. After all, as Janet used to tell me, "That is sheriff business, Momma," and it is a current investigation which means that it isn't talked about.
If it were my operation I wouldn't be going back to see what I could salvage. I wouldn't leave anything of value there anyway.
Set it up on County property adjacent to the property. Warrant not necessary for that as it would videotape what is in plain sight.
And where would they know to point the camera ? What if the growers are accessing the "garden" from the back 40 ?
Quote from: Wilma on September 03, 2011, 10:36:09 AM
This raises another question? Isn't it illegal to set up a surveillance camera on someone else's property? Of course, it wouldn't be hard to get a warrant to do this and how do we know that it hasn't been done? Just because no one has been caught doesn't mean that the case has just been let go. After all, as Janet used to tell me, "That is sheriff business, Momma," and it is a current investigation which means that it isn't talked about.
If it were my operation I wouldn't be going back to see what I could salvage. I wouldn't leave anything of value there anyway.
IT would require a warrant.
Quote from: srkruzich on September 03, 2011, 12:10:10 PM
IT would require a warrant.
Depends, plain view doctrine would clearly apply in this case if the camera were positioned on county property, such as roadway/ditch area. In fact, the search could take place as well without warrant if the 'crop' were in plain view.
The camera could be in plain view, but would warn the perps that something is going on. If the camera were positioned on county property at this site it would be in plain view. The crop was not in plain view or the neighbors out there would have had it taken care of a long time ago.
Aha. Finally, something I can talk about. In regards to the recent marijuana field, no warrant would be needed to set up cameras such as the trail cams. Why, you ask? A simple thing called curtilage. Curtilage is the area, usually enclosed, encompassing the grounds and buildings immediately surrounding a home that is used in the daily activities of domestic life.
A garage, barn, smokehouse, chicken house, and garden are curtilage if their locations are reasonably near to the home. The determination of what constitutes curtilage is important for purposes of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures of a person and of his or her home or property. Courts have construed the word home to include curtilage so that a person is protected against unlawful searches and seizures of his or her curtilage.
So, since there wasn't any residence out there, there was no curtilage. The sheriff could have set up cameras to see what he could have captured. However; he and the outside agencies chose not to. That was his decision to make and that is what he did. The sheriff may have decided that he didn't have the money in his budget to do any kind of surveillance. One has to respect whatever decision he made and I can reassure you that it wasn't an easy one to make.
Law enforcement officers get frustrated, too, when they either don't have the means to do a proper investigation or decisions are made by the outside agencies that the locals ask to help. These officers want to make an arrest as much as we want them to make an arrest. I am not saying that KBI came in and took over. I am sure that it was a mutual decision between all the agencies involved.
Still say moneys better spent on the meth lab busts than someone growing a pot stash
Even though I don't agree with legalizing marijuana or anything like that, I will say that meth labs are more dangerous, etc., and should be the focus of law enforcement. It would be nice if law enforcement had enough officers, enough time, and enough money to do it all.
Quote from: Janet Harrington on September 06, 2011, 03:31:48 PM
Even though I don't agree with legalizing marijuana or anything like that, I will say that meth labs are more dangerous, etc., and should be the focus of law enforcement. It would be nice if law enforcement had enough officers, enough time, and enough money to do it all.
Well theres a conflict in the law violating Gods law which takes precedence over mans law. Anything in its natural state should be legal. marijuana, poppy, coca leaves ect. There is a valid and useful reason for each and every plant and God gave it to us to use. Secondly, PRIORITIES is the problem not finances. You cannot possibly get it all. This war on drugs is a absolute joke. It was never intended for us to win. It was only a means to sieze property to continue the fight so to speak. IF they truely wanted to end drugs, they would do one of two things. 1st choice execute all drug addicts and dealers OR make it legal. There is no other way to stop it. IF You execute the users and the dealers problem solved. IF you make it legal problem solves itself by collapsing the profit margin. RIGHT now drugs boast a 1700% markup. It makes it worth taking a chance of getting caught. Make it legal and your profit margin goes to zip. It wouldn't even pay for them to move it across the borders.
Once you remove the profit, take the money that is spent every year, (240,000,000) a year and return 2/3 to the general budget and use 1/3 of it to fund the treatment of those addicts. Some will succeed some will fail. But all will have had a chance.
Legalizing it will also stop this racket of having to spend 100 bucks or more to get a prescription to get the "pharmaceuticals" you need. Mexico doesn't require a prescription for most of its drugs and yet they aren't a nation of zombied out drug users. The schedule 2 drugs i think they pay like 15 -20 bucks for the prescription to take the pharmacy. I could live with that.
At any rate the priority in enforcement should be to search and destroy the most lethal drug which is Meth. Personally blow the damn things up like the revenuers did in prohibition. Might also leave the meth manufactuerers inside while ya do it too!
You make an excellent argument, Steve.
Please don't feint, steve...I agree with your statement...
all but one, but that is immaterial.
Now, let's say we do as you planned....most of the homeopathy operation that are liscenced (sp) are so by the FDA (hence the issue) so why would the Pharmaceutical companiess buy into that plan, if they can't find a cure, when it is already there?
That would mean not so much profit for them to fix you, cause side effects then fix those! :o
The FDA and the Pharmas sleep like spooning friends.
Although I would love to see your plan....now what?
ready
QuotePersonally blow the damn things up like the revenuers did in prohibition. Might also leave the meth manufactuerers inside while ya do it too!
That one is my personal favorite of to do list.
It you know where the lab is/are I'll be glad to come light 'em off for ya.
I will help you and cover up any tracks made by the tires.
ready
oh lawd, Dianne...we will now be labled 'vigilantees'... :-X I'm game..bring it on...I am tired of walking on eggshells even on my own property..where yes, there ws Meth being made (fly by night one shop cook, then gone, but the remains were there)!
ready
Quote from: readyaimduck on September 06, 2011, 05:55:15 PM
Please don't feint, steve...I agree with your statement...
all but one, but that is immaterial.
Now, let's say we do as you planned....most of the homeopathy operation that are liscenced (sp) are so by the FDA (hence the issue) so why would the Pharmaceutical companiess buy into that plan, if they can't find a cure, when it is already there?
That would mean not so much profit for them to fix you, cause side effects then fix those! :o
The FDA and the Pharmas sleep like spooning friends.
Although I would love to see your plan....now what?
ready
The biggest drug dealers is the pharmaceutical companies backed by government. Now don't get me wrong, they deserve to make a profit. its business. But there is NO need for prescriptions on 95% of drugs. I mean come on prescriptions for antibiotics? I can go to the feed store and get penicillin, terramycin to use without one. I can also get litocaine without a prescription in powder form and make my own liquid to inject for doing sutures. Just have to know where to buy it.
Theres no real reason we can't keep our own medicine chest to do minor things like stitch's and such. Sure theres times where we need a doc. but there are also times we don't. Though i'll guarantee you one thing, if i ever cut my finger off again with a saw, i'm going to insist that they knock me out when they sew me up! That was not fun!
Quote from: Diane Amberg on September 06, 2011, 06:07:52 PM
It you know where the lab is/are I'll be glad to come light 'em off for ya.
Heh and deprive me of that fun! I think not! I was a powderman for 4 years and that is the fun part!
Quote from: readyaimduck on September 06, 2011, 06:17:11 PM
oh lawd, Dianne...we will now be labled 'vigilantees'... :-X I'm game..bring it on...I am tired of walking on eggshells even on my own property..where yes, there ws Meth being made (fly by night one shop cook, then gone, but the remains were there)!
ready
Ohhh i've got personal experience with meth dealers. My sister was on the shit. and luckily we got her off of it. Had one try to supply one of my kids with it and when he wouldn't quit, i went to the sherriff and told him do something or i would. He tried to give me a song and dance about evidence and all that bullshit, and i said ok no problem i'll handle it.
The dealer was busted the next day.
Janet unfortunately Meth has found its way into police departments all over this nation. They won't bust the dealers that pay them. Oh they'll do a token bust, then that dealer will turn in his competition for a plea deal that lets himcontinue to operate. I don't care anymore. We don't deal with terrorists and meth dealers. If i ever suspected any dept around here of doing the same, i'd be right in front of that station with signs loudly telling the public what was going on.
QuoteMeth has found its way into police departments all over this nation
You are correct, Steve. They try to bust the small timer to get to the 'boss', then let the little fish go.
The little fish grow up and take over the bosses' jobs. I say fry the little fish to make the boss' know who is really boss. Don't slap them on the wrist. OD THEM as they do it my area....then, no one is to blame, and the problem is solved.
ready
Quote from: readyaimduck on September 06, 2011, 07:07:26 PM
You are correct, Steve. They try to bust the small timer to get to the 'boss', then let the little fish go.
The little fish grow up and take over the bosses' jobs. I say fry the little fish to make the boss' know who is really boss. Don't slap them on the wrist. OD THEM as they do it my area....then, no one is to blame, and the problem is solved.
ready
I still like the idea of detonation
QuoteI still like the idea of detonation
well, it does send a message to the neighborhood! :-*