Feds raid orchid-grower's home

[Wwagsthedog]

For some reason, I don't feel safer now that I know the Fish & Wildlife Service has storm troopers too. Be sure not to put your orchids near your MJ.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10493091&BRD=1569&PAG=461&dept_id=180945&rfi=6

Three days before Halloween, Spring resident George Norris got a visit from a U.S. agency that proved scarier than any spook or goblin. He is still recovering from the encounter.
Norris, 65, and his wife, Kathy, who live at 24407 Pine Canyon Drive, own Spring Orchid Specialties. "I import orchids from all around the world and have been doing it more than 25 years," he said.
A small greenhouse is located in the back of their home.
The income supplements his Social Security check.
He suffers from diabetes, arthritis and heart problems and is unable to work, he said.

At 10 a.m. Oct. 28, he said, three pickup trucks pulled into his driveway, and six people, five men and one woman, got out.
All of the men were wearing body armor and carrying sidearms. Four of them came to the front door and two went to the back.
When Norris answered the front door, one of the men identified himself as a special agent with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

More....

[elfin]

1. What a relief!

When our wardens COULD be helping with Homeland Security at the wildlife borders, they are going after the real criminals who sap our national resolve.

They are taking their cue from our fearless Justice Dept. which goes after bong sellers and New Orleans prostitutes to save our 'Murcan way of life.

Aincha proud?

[Don_G]

2. The Federal Government Is Arrogant Now

The citizen had rights under Clinton; none under Dimbo as this "pansy" raid demonstrates.

[James T. Kirk]

3. Arrogant cops.

This is creepy. It should not happen in America.

[politicat]

4. Nice to know the Feds Support Small Business....

With the customer records, files and computer gone, these poor people have literally lost their business. And all because the Feds have no clue.

Wonder if the poor guy was a Dem or a Green?

Even us little 'uns are pissing them off these days.

Politicat

[Zo Zig]

5. Unlimited Powers...

<snip>
"These are people that mostly make raids on folks with illegal parents, people trading in rhinoceros horns, tiger products, things of mostly animal nature."
Norris said he believes his troubles may stem from FWS's use of CARNIVORE, a government system that can tap into computer e-mails".


Use of CARNIVORE, on email that was over four years old. For those that make the argument that I've done nothing wrong, thus the PAT ACT does'nt effect me are insane. This man was data mined, just as any of us can be. The message is clear, how does that boot taste?

[weldon_berger]

6. Ah, someone to keep Tommy Chong company.

The two of them can get together and plot an "orchid & bong" terrorist attack. The alert level will be raised to a sort of smoky lavendar.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi weldon_berger!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[weldon_berger]

10. Why, thank you!

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. There is a dark side to the orchid world

Some orchid growers deal in illegal plants. Plants that are rare and endangered can command thousands of dollars despite the fact that there are strick laws against their collection from the wild. There may be more to this story other than some seemingly nice old man with a few plants in his backyard.

[TreasonousBastard]

9. What the hell is going on...

with law enforcement these days?

Did I miss the memo that everyone with a badge is to turn into a storm trooper?

This certainly isn't the first time a plant dealer or grower has been rousted, hydroponics dealers and gardeners for years have been harassed about possible pot growing, but this is a simple regulatory matter.

As an orchid importer, I assume his permits give authorities the right to inspect his premises, including his home if that's where he conducts business from. A warrant and siezure seems a bit much.