Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
US DOJ Press Release: Major Marijuana Growing Operation Dismantled
On Wednesday, August 18, 2004, Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wolf Team of the California National Guard, executed a federal search warrant on four properties in Upper Lake, California, owned by Mr. Charles Edward Lepp.
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2004
Major Marijuana Growing Operation Dismantled
AUG 20--On Wednesday, August 18, 2004, Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wolf Team of the California National Guard, executed a federal search warrant on four properties in Upper Lake, California, owned by Mr. Charles Edward Lepp. The addresses where the search warrants were served are as follows: 9175 and 9176 Upper Lake Lucerne Road, and 941 and 975 East State Highway 20, all in Upper Lake, California.
Approximately 32,500 marijuana plants were found and seized during this operation. Some of the marijuana plants were knee high, while others were in excess of 10 feet tall. In addition, the following were also seized during the execution of the search warrant: a loaded Beretta .32 semi-automatic pistol, plastic bags containing what appeared to be dried/processed marijuana, canning jars containing a dark brown substance mixed with liquid suspected to be hash oil, a digital scale, computer CPUs and other items.
State authorities arrested fourteen individuals who will be charged in State court. Mr. Lepp was arrested on federal charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy, and establishing of marijuana manufacturing operations in violation of 21 United States Code, Sections 841, 846, and 856. Mr. Lepp had his initial appearance in front of US Magistrate Bernard Zimmerman on Thursday 08/19/2004. During the court hearing, defense attorney Dennis Roberts praised in open court the compassion and professionalism of the DEA Agents that arrested and transported Mr. Lepp. Magistrate Zimmerman imposed a $200,000.00 bail, and Mr. Lepp posted a bond.
Marijuana plants produce different amounts of smokable pot. Large plants can yield in excess of 4 lbs of dried marijuana. It is difficult to estimate the yield of 32,500 plants, but if each plant was to yield one pound of dried marijuana, which could be sold on the street for $4000, the potential street value of this crop would be in the vicinity of $130,000,000.00
The DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Greg Sullivan stated: This is one of the largest and most sophisticated marijuana growing operations located in California. Sophisticated growing techniques have led to a dramatic rise in the THC level of marijuana being seized within California. The DEA will continue to pursue criminals engaged in the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana, and protect the public from the dangers of illegal drugs.
The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney David Hall.
For further information contact Richard Meyer, DEA Public Information Officer, at 415-436-7900.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2004
Major Marijuana Growing Operation Dismantled
AUG 20--On Wednesday, August 18, 2004, Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wolf Team of the California National Guard, executed a federal search warrant on four properties in Upper Lake, California, owned by Mr. Charles Edward Lepp. The addresses where the search warrants were served are as follows: 9175 and 9176 Upper Lake Lucerne Road, and 941 and 975 East State Highway 20, all in Upper Lake, California.
Approximately 32,500 marijuana plants were found and seized during this operation. Some of the marijuana plants were knee high, while others were in excess of 10 feet tall. In addition, the following were also seized during the execution of the search warrant: a loaded Beretta .32 semi-automatic pistol, plastic bags containing what appeared to be dried/processed marijuana, canning jars containing a dark brown substance mixed with liquid suspected to be hash oil, a digital scale, computer CPUs and other items.
State authorities arrested fourteen individuals who will be charged in State court. Mr. Lepp was arrested on federal charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy, and establishing of marijuana manufacturing operations in violation of 21 United States Code, Sections 841, 846, and 856. Mr. Lepp had his initial appearance in front of US Magistrate Bernard Zimmerman on Thursday 08/19/2004. During the court hearing, defense attorney Dennis Roberts praised in open court the compassion and professionalism of the DEA Agents that arrested and transported Mr. Lepp. Magistrate Zimmerman imposed a $200,000.00 bail, and Mr. Lepp posted a bond.
Marijuana plants produce different amounts of smokable pot. Large plants can yield in excess of 4 lbs of dried marijuana. It is difficult to estimate the yield of 32,500 plants, but if each plant was to yield one pound of dried marijuana, which could be sold on the street for $4000, the potential street value of this crop would be in the vicinity of $130,000,000.00
The DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Greg Sullivan stated: This is one of the largest and most sophisticated marijuana growing operations located in California. Sophisticated growing techniques have led to a dramatic rise in the THC level of marijuana being seized within California. The DEA will continue to pursue criminals engaged in the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana, and protect the public from the dangers of illegal drugs.
The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney David Hall.
For further information contact Richard Meyer, DEA Public Information Officer, at 415-436-7900.
For more information:
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsr...
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
God forbid citizens grow their own medicine in their homestate. Tens of thousands of otherwise happy medical marijuana users have been saved from their medicine. Feeling better yet?
What a fucking waste of taxpayer $$$.
What a fucking waste of taxpayer $$$.
In a recent flight around the garden, spreading love and good karma to all, the fairy heard the news of a press release by the US Department of Justice, and boy did she have a lot of information to clear up when she returned to the forest.
Tthe loaded Beretta .32 that was on the premises; the Grand jury did not indict on the weapons charges. The state authorities arrested no one all detained were released within a short amount of time, with no charges filed and paper work stating none would be.
Although Eddy’s attorney Mr. Roberts praised the compassion and professionalism of the two agents who transported eddy to San Francisco, he found the behavior of all involved and the arrest to be unwarranted, excessive and cruel.
The Fairy say’s “they may judge what we do and place themselves on pedestals miles above the patients and the life saving plants we care for and protect. But let them never underestimate our determination to prevail and lift this world from the current disassociated state of distress. When you look upon us look with an open mind and an open heart. When you fill them use the knowledge from both to decide how you perceive us.”
Tthe loaded Beretta .32 that was on the premises; the Grand jury did not indict on the weapons charges. The state authorities arrested no one all detained were released within a short amount of time, with no charges filed and paper work stating none would be.
Although Eddy’s attorney Mr. Roberts praised the compassion and professionalism of the two agents who transported eddy to San Francisco, he found the behavior of all involved and the arrest to be unwarranted, excessive and cruel.
The Fairy say’s “they may judge what we do and place themselves on pedestals miles above the patients and the life saving plants we care for and protect. But let them never underestimate our determination to prevail and lift this world from the current disassociated state of distress. When you look upon us look with an open mind and an open heart. When you fill them use the knowledge from both to decide how you perceive us.”
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$115.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network