The lawn is patchy and pocked with weeds. Overgrown rose bushes and shaded windows suggest neglect. But inside the house on Haven Court in Greenhaven, a professional gardener's touch abounds. Sophisticated lighting and perfect growing conditions made the residence an ideal marijuana farm, according to Sacramento police. Almost every room in the two-story suburban home near Caroline Wenzel Elementary School had been adapted for the care and nurturing of almost 2,000 plants, authorities said. The sophisticated operation is typical of what law enforcement says is the newest trend in the marijuana trade to hit Sacramento -- growing pot quietly and unseen in the midst of middle-class suburban neighborhoods. [continues 833 words]
Federal Officers Report Seizing About 22 Pounds Of Marijuana And $48,000 In Cash In The First Such Raid In The Capital For the first time in the city of Sacramento, federal drug agents on Wednesday conducted a search of what authorities said was a medical marijuana store. Drug Enforcement Administration agents served a search warrant at the store at 2020 16th St. about 9:30 a.m. Federal officers also served two warrants at the homes of the store's owners, one in Citrus Heights and one in North Highlands, said Gordon Taylor, assistant special agent in charge of the Sacramento DEA office. [continues 644 words]
The Sacramento Department Plans To Refocus Its Efforts On Property Crimes Committed Within The City. The Sacramento Police Department is withdrawing four officers from joint agency narcotics task forces that are administered by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. "We want to commit our resources to combating property crime in the city of Sacramento," police spokesman Sgt. Justin Risley said. "It's not only about the manpower, but the expertise that those men bring." During the past three years, the Police Department has committed to staffing Sacramento County's High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team (CALMMET) and Crack Rock Impact Program (CRIP). [continues 490 words]
Nearly 30 advocates for medical marijuana were arrested and cited for public disturbance during a protest at the federal courthouse on Monday. The protest started at noon on the south lawn of the State Capitol. Hundreds of protesters from all over California gathered to make a stance against the federal government's recent raids of medical marijuana suppliers. "It's culminated in a huge outcry and the anger has really been building," said Judy Appel, the deputy director of legal affairs for Drugs Policy Alliance. "We hope to send a clear message to Washington that we want the government to stop impeding clear access to medicine." [continues 150 words]