Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 Source: Auburn Journal (CA) Copyright: 2000 Auburn Journal Contact: 1030 High St., Auburn, CA 95603 Website: http://www.auburnjournal.com/ Author: Gus Thomson, Journal Staff Writer POT DEALER GIVEN SEVEN YEARS The smell of marijuana-scented money put Placer County on the trail of a drug dealer that ended Wednesday with Granite Bay's Eric Alfred Worm being sentenced in Auburn to a seven-year, eight-month prison term. The odorific cash came to the attention of the Special Investigations Unit drug enforcement team after Worm traded a quantity of $20 bills for $100s at a bank. The discovery touched off an 18-month investigation that culminated with a raid on Worm's upscale Granite Bay home in December. Officers seized 15 pounds of marijuana and more than a half-pound of cocaine all measured into ounces and packaged in plastic bags. Most of the drugs were found stashed in an attic office, along with computer records that detailed a decade of drug dealing, according to a Placer County Probation Department report released after sentencing. Worm, 45, pleaded guilty to several counts associated with trafficking in drugs from his home. An unemployed grocery clerk, Worm reportedly told investigators that he was earning $60,000 a year from marijuana and cocaine sales to close friends and close friends of friends. The Probation Department report detailed an illegal business that bought Humboldt County-grown marijuana for $3,400 a pound and then turned it around at $350 an ounce. The Special Investigations Unit said that Worm bleary from smoking pot and ingesting cocaine admitted while his home was being searched to being a long-time seller. Pot paid for his lifestyle, he reportedly told investigators. "I wouldn't have what I have if I didn't do what I do," Worm was quoted as saying. The probation report stated that Worm later said he had been dealing drugs for five years and his many possessions were bought before then. Deputy District Attorney David Tellman said the Weatherby Court residence owned by Worm is worth an estimated $400,000 to $450,000 and is now subject to forfeiture. So too are two vehicles, two motorcycles, two quad-runners, wall prints, bronze statues and $12,000 in cash that was found in a safe in the home's garage. In addition to the prison sentence, Worm was ordered by Superior Court Judge Robert McElhany to pay a restitution fine of $10,000. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D