cannabisnews.com: Spring Break or Bust Spring Break or Bust Posted by FoM on March 04, 2000 at 05:58:09 PT By S. Thorne Harper, Staff Writer Source: Ledger-Enquirer Narcotics officers busted 22 spring breakers and others carrying illegal drugs at a checkpoint along Interstate 185 in Columbus Friday.Operating from a checkpoint in the southbound lanes of the interstate between the Smith and Williams roads exits, officers from the Metro Narcotics Task Force seized undisclosed quantities of illegal narcotics -- primarily marijuana -- and two automobiles, along with an undisclosed amount of cash, said Columbus police Capt. J.D. Hawk, who heads the task force. "We do this periodically," Hawk said. "But, this time of year, a lot of people are traveling from the north going to the beach and spring break. It sends the message that, if you come through here with your drugs, you stand a good chance of going to jail."Officers also cited motorists for DUI, seat belt violations and other traffic offenses, Hawk said. The bulk of the arrests involved motorists heading to Florida and on spring break.Waiting outside the Muscogee County Jail, three young men from Douglasville, Ga., waited for a friend -- arrested at the checkpoint on a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession -- to make bond.A 23-year-old member of the group would not give his name but said he and the three friends were headed to Panama City for spring break."He saw the sign and pulled over so he could hide the stuff," he said. "They must have had people out in the woods or something who saw him."The task force was assisted by the Georgia Department of Transportation, which set up pylons to force motorists into a single lane. At the crest of a hill, motorists were warned that a drug search check-point lie ahead.Hawk would not reveal how officers identify those suspected of having illegal narcotics but said several methods were employed. "We use different methods -- random and probable cause, but we're not using the profile method out here," Hawk said. The Metro Narcotics Task Force is composed of sheriff's deputies and police officers from the Russell County Sheriff's Department, Phenix City Police Department, the Muscogee County Sheriff's Department and the Bibb City and Columbus police departments.A U.S. Army drug suppression team and canine unit from Fort Benning also participated in the operation.Drug forfeiture laws provide authorities with federal funding based on a percentage of the street value of drugs seized. Those laws also provide law enforcement agencies with money from auctions of automobiles and other seized property.The task force set up a roadside tent used as a temporary booking and holding unit.Once processed, those arrested were transported by van to the county jail.Hawk said the drug check would continue today at an undisclosed location. Published: March 4, 2000All content © 2000 Ledger-Enquirer Related Articles:Georgia DUI Law Found Unconstitutionalhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread1611.shtmlDUI Ruling Jeopardizes Drug Arrestshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread1526.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by Elliot Fleener on March 05, 2000 at 05:41:05 PT POLICE STATE Another stunning example of a police state that,that will continue to grow in the coming years. These law enforcement,military,and paramilitary groups,have so much money coming in from the legal theft of peoples homes and cars,plus massive quantities of cash from ONDCPs' obscene billions,,,they have to find things to do with all these funds,so they can get more this year. Now that they have made this to look like standard procedure,I hate to think what will be next. This drug war thing is way out of hand,and is getting worse,yet the general public remains unconcerned for the most part.Articles like this appear in the back pages of the newspaper.Elliot Fleener [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 04, 2000 at 20:45:44 PT I agree kaptinemo! That's right kaptinemo,They always set up at the last exit before the check point. This happens in trucking alot. I've heard one too many stories from truckers that have been stopped. Everyone should have a cb radio.Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on March 04, 2000 at 14:43:47 PT More meat for the ACLU's table Given the blatant disregard for the Fourth Ammendment these warrantless search and seizures represent, I imagine that the Georgia chapter of the ACLU is smiling about now.A word to the wise; when they broadcast their intentions (Attention, citizens! You are approaching a drug checkpoint!) they are *always* laying in wait for the poor sod who pulls off the highway *before* the checkpoint to dump something. That's the idea. You can *bet* an officer is watching from the woods, noting your make, model and license plate, what you dropped off and where. BECAUSE, WHEN YOU PULLED OVER BEFORE THE DRUG STOP, YOU WERE ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY, AND THAT'S THE DERIVATION OF THEIR PROBABLE CAUSE. You handed it to them on a platter. Enough said. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by observer on March 04, 2000 at 11:08:56 PT Police State Roadblocks, State-Sponsered Robbery > Narcotics Task Force seized undisclosed quantities of illegal narcotics -- primarily marijuana The real reason for the whole operation: steal from citizens, using "marijuana" as an excuse to do so. The police have become robbers in this corrupt nation. I wonder why they didn't want to "disclose" the amounts "seized"? Maybe because they are stealing cars and cash for a joint or two, for trivial personal-use amounts? (Technically people having even a single marijuana cigarette are "drug felons": propagandists love to use this term to obscure the fact they were referring to personal use amounts of marijuana.)> -- and two automobiles, along with an undisclosed amount of cash, said Columbus police Capt. J.D. Hawk, who heads the task force. More naked theft from the Police State. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by blueberry kid on March 04, 2000 at 10:10:04 PT: looking for the new ss. a message for the guys at The Metro Narcotics Task Force composed of sheriff's deputies and police officers from the Russell County Sheriff's Department, Phenix City Police Department, the Muscogee County Sheriff's Department and the Bibb City and Columbus police departments and the U.S. Army drug suppression team and canine unit from Fort Benning also participated in the operation.good job guys i think we have some positions open. love hitler [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: