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Another marijuana plantation raided
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Posted on Apr 10 2005
Authorities raided another marijuana plantation in Koblerville and seized some 270 full-grown plants Saturday morning, days after conducting a similar raid in Kagman II.
Elements of the CNMI-Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force scored a bigger seizure in Saturday’s raid, with the Department of Public Safety estimating the value of the plants at $200,000.
Operatives conducted the raid based on information received by the Crime Stoppers, according to DPS spokesman Eric David. The marijuana plantation belongs to a Koblerville resident, whom police did not identify as of press time.
The raid followed another operation in Kagman II last Wednesday, where task force members, including those from the DPS’ Special Investigation Section, seized some 64 marijuana plants.
Although none has been arrested so far in connection with both raids, police suspects that the plantation owners might have the intent to distribute marijuana.
A stick of dried marijuana leaves sells up to $5 on the streets. The plantations can produce thousands of sticks, which substance abusers usually smoke like cigarettes.
David, who is also the CNMI’s Crime Stoppers coordinator, urged those who might have tips for law enforcers to call 234-7272. Tips can also be submitted online at the Crime Stoppers’ website at www.nmicrimestoppers.com. The Crime Stoppers also takes tips in over 150 languages.
Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. Caller ID is never used and all calls and online tips remain anonymous.
Since its inception on April 18, 1989, the CNMI’s Crime Stoppers program has received tips that resulted in the solution of 210 cases, including two homicide cases. Law enforcers made a total of 167 arrests, resulting in more than $10,000 in payments of rewards to informants. The tips also led to the seizure of over $2.5-million-worth of narcotics and property.
