Pubdate: Fri, 16 Jan 2015
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2015 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10

HIGH COURT WEIGHS AERIAL SURVEILLANCE

SANTA FE - The state Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in the 
case of northern New Mexico man who claims his privacy rights were 
violated after a flyover prompted a ground search.

That search turned up more than a dozen marijuana plants on his 
remote property.

The outcome of the case could affect the ability of law enforcement 
agencies to use drones and other means of aerial surveillance.

The home of Norman Davis, now 79, in the Carson area of Taos County 
was checked during a 2006 joint operation of New Mexico State Police, 
National Guard and state Game and Fish. Authorities were looking for 
pot-growing operations.

A search was conducted with Davis' reluctant consent after a spotter 
in a helicopter saw vegetation in Davis' greenhouse and plants outside.
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