cannabisnews.com: Farmer Accused of Running Marijuana Operation





Farmer Accused of Running Marijuana Operation
Posted by FoM on October 02, 1999 at 07:25:14 PT
By John Flesher 
Source: Detroit News
A farmer concealed thousands of marijuana plants among his corn and sorghum in one of the biggest drug operations ever discovered in northern Michigan, authorities said Friday. 
"This is a case of the first magnitude ... extraordinary" for a region where small-time busts are common but major drug production and trafficking is rare, U.S. Attorney Michael Dettmer said. A federal grand jury in Grand Rapids indicted Bradley Kevin Shugart, 47, of Leelanau County on Wednesday. He was charged with manufacturing and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute it.   If convicted, he could be sentenced to 10 years to life in prison and fined up to $4 million. He was released on bond after waiving a preliminary examination. A trial should begin within six months but no date has been set, Dettmer said.   Police said they seized 10,849 marijuana plants with a street value of nearly $11 million from Shugart's farm last month.   Dettmer said the investigation was continuing and declined comment on whether others were involved. He would not discuss the alleged drug operations' internal workings or where the marijuana was sold.   The case was investigated by the FBI and the Traverse Narcotics Team, a task force with representatives from police agencies in seven northwestern Michigan counties.   They held a news conference Friday at the state police post in Cadillac. Tables were covered with plastic and paper bags of processed marijuana, marijuana plants, cash and nearly two dozen rifles, shotguns and crossbows that officers said were taken from the Shugart property.   Police began surveillance of Shugart's 120-acre farm after getting tips from neighbors in late June, TNT commanding officer Chet Wilson said. They raided the property Sept. 17.   Officers said the amount of marijuana seized was perhaps the largest ever in the region and was one of the biggest seizures in Michigan this year.   Plants were found growing alongside corn and sorghum, in a wooded lot and elsewhere on the property, Wilson said.   Saturday, October 2, 1999Copyright 1999, The Detroit News
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Comment #1 posted by Chris Knestrick on October 02, 1999 at 09:25:31 PT:
Ban Corn And Sorgum!!!
The DEA claims that it will not allow industrial hemp to be grown because it could be used *cough cough* to hide marijuana. Perhaps now will will outlaw corn and sorgum.
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