Pubdate: Fri, 08 Sep 2006 Source: Marin Independent Journal (CA) Copyright: 2006 Marin Independent Journal Contact: http://www.marinij.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/673 Author: Chris Van Deusen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California) WHY NO ARRESTS IN POT BUST? The IJ editorial, "Huge pot farms a disturbing trend" (Sept. 4), applauds law enforcement officials for the number of plants they cut down but ignores what is truly the most disturbing element of this story: the complete incompetence of law enforcement. They may have "netted 20,000 plants," but they netted zero criminals. Your editorial opines that "all involved should be commended for uncovering the operation and seizing the plants," yet seems undisturbed by the fact that "more than four dozen heavily armed cops and rangers" managed to interrupt the pot farmers at breakfast but were incapable of capturing even one of them. Law enforcement seems more intent on parading pot plants and big street value numbers in front of the media than putting the criminals behind bars. Should we be surprised that these criminals were then unafraid to return to the scene of the crime to scoop up $3 million of marijuana - 1,200 plants - that our officers had so generously harvested and stacked for them? Should we be surprised if the traffickers increase their operations in Marin in the future knowing they have nothing to fear from Marin's keystone cops? Chris Van Deusen, San Anselmo - --- MAP posted-by: Derek