UPDATED Saturday at 12:48 p.m. with the names of the suspects and clarified/corrected information from the Sheriff's Office.
A federal helicopter passing over Genesee County this evening just happened to spot what looked like marijuana plants growing in a field off Angling Road in Corfu, and following an alleged frenzied attempt to hide or destroy the crop three people were taken into custody.
The three suspects are being charged with felony counts of criminal possession of marijuana 3rd and tampering with physical evidence as well as a misdemeanor charge of unlawful growing of cannabis.
Taken into custody were James P. Cox, 49, of 2109 Angling Road, Corfu, Jessica D. Cox, 22, of Benedict Street, Perry, and Beau T. Bressler, 25, of Benedict Street, Perry.
Sheriff's dispatchers received a call from a Homeland Security helicopter piloted by U.S. Border Patrol Agents just before 8:30 p.m. saying that the agents had spotted a suspected marijuana field at 2109 Angling Road, Corfu.
"The border patrol was not actively working with us or actively looking for marijuana," said Sgt. Steve Mullen, of the Sheriff's Office. "They just happened to be flying over the area on their way back to their base."
Immediately after the initial call, the agents informed dispatchers that an individual had run from the field into a residence at that address. At least four people immediately left the residence.
Two people reportedly jumped into a white sedan.
The other three people were allegedly spotted pulling up marijuana plants from the ground and carrying them into the house, into a barn, into a cornfield and into a red SUV parked at the house.
The red SUV was reported to leave the scene and was subsequently stopped by a trooper on Angling Road.
"We had communication with the helicopter through the inter-county system and the helicopter was able to tell us what was going on play-by-play and give us a description of the vehicles as they were leaving," Mullen said.
"(They were able to) observe it (the suspected marijuana) being placed in vehicles and observe it being destroyed or tampered with by throwing it into the cornfield in the hope that we wouldn’t subsequently see it or find it."
Several suspected marijuana plants, with their roots still attached and dusted with dirt, were found inside the vehicle (top photo with Sgt. Greg Walker and Deputy James Diehl, who is also the driver in the photo below).
Mullen said all suspected marijuana plants had been pulled from the ground by the three people allegedly involved in the incident. A total of 32 marijuana plants were recorved, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Two individuals who reportedly left in a white sedan told law enforcement that they left the scene when the suspects started to pull up the plants because they weren't involved and didn't want to be involved in what was going on. Neither of those people were arrested.
The residence at 2109 Angling Road is owned, according to the county's online database, by James P. Cox.
Mullen said one of the inviduals arrested was a resident of the property and the other two people were visiting at the time the suspected pot plants were discovered.
"After noticing the helicopter they decided to help (the suspected grower), or so they thought, remove or destroy the evidence."
so is that what they meant by
so is that what they meant by "wild goose flower shop"
Doug, I agree. I would add
Doug, I agree. I would add that law enforcement is going to take the time and effort to dry and weigh it in an effort to elevate the charges to felonies. Ridiculous. Since it is currently illegal, destroy the plants, fine the folks $50 and all is well.
Legalize it and tax it. Financial crisis addressed, personal liberties restored, and people help the economy by spending more at the grocery store! :)
They have to remove the buds
They have to remove the buds (I don't see any) from the stems and dry it. Leaves and stems don't count when it comes to the actual THC containing portion of the plants. What a waste of time and resources. They actually have to dessicate the plant material because water weight doesn't count, either.
Bob, didn't you used to
Bob, didn't you used to comment on the soundbytes radio show? I can remember driving people insane on IRC when they had an open room there.
Bravo! Perhaps more business
Bravo! Perhaps more business for our state's boom industry. Imprisoning its citizens. But wait, what do we do once everyone is either an inmate or a corrections officer?
Let me rephrase..those are
Let me rephrase..those are some skanky looking girl plants
:-D
There's no meat on their bones....all skinny and spindly looking!
Not that it matters much but,
Not that it matters much but, I'm skeptical of the claims that helicopter wasn't actively looking for growing pot. I saw that same helicopter (or possibly another Border Patrol helicopter, as it had the same paint job) cruising very slowly at fairly low altitude on Thursday afternoon/evening over rural parts of Avon, both north and later west of the village, headed towards Genesee County. Seems like a systematic search westward over the course of a couple days to me.
Finding and taking those
Finding and taking those dangerous marijuana plants off the streets is totally worth the cost of man-hours and fuel for the chopper. Congrats to the authorities, we are all safe again.
[/sarcasm]
Mike, what motivation would
Mike, what motivation would law enforcement have to lie about such a thing?
The State Police routinely flies over the county looking for fields of pot.
The Border Patrol routinely flies over the county looking for suspected illegal aliens (and they may do drug fly-overs too, I don't know).
It's not anything they have any reason to deny. It's open knowledge it happens.
It was clear from the scanner call, the Sheriff's Office and State Police were not coordinating prior to the call. There was a bunch of difficulty, for one thing, to get all responding units on the same radio frequency as the helicopter.
Justin, you and I agree, I'm sure, marijuana should be legal. The fact of the matter, however, it is not, and people should not be engaging in alleged illegal activity and law enforcement officers have a sworn duty to uphold they law.
The legislature makes laws, not cops, thankfully. When's the last time you contacted Mike Ranzenhofer or Steve Hawley (I'd put the pressure on Ranzenhofer first because he's pretty pig-headed about it) letting them know how you feel about the law? I know both of these elected officials feel like the majority of their constituents support the current laws on marijuana. I believe the majority of their constituents oppose the current law, but Ranzenhofer and Hawley refuse to believe this because they never hear otherwise. The proper place to direct your bitching isn't at the cops. It's at the elected officials.
Howard, but it's more fun to
Howard, but it's more fun to bitch at the cops! Seriously though, I would consider contacting Hawley and Ranzenhofer if I didn't feel that my opinion would be ignored because they don't agree with it.
I have no idea Howard. The
I have no idea Howard. The vicinity I saw them in didn't strike me as areas where illegal immigration would be a concern. The one area they were hovering over was adjacent to a gun club with an active trap shoot going on, over a densely brushy area, not a farm field. The other area I saw them in a couple hours later was along rt 5 just east of the village of Avon. I don't think there was anyone in the fields they were working. There was no machinery, vehicles, or signs of workers at that time.
In the end, it doesn't really matter why they were there as they were likely acting within the law, so I'm not going to expend much energy concerning myself with why. I remembered the aircraft and thought at the time I saw them it looked like they were cruising to find pot fields and lo and behold they end up in a story of a pot bust here.
No big deal and nothing I am interested in creating a conspiracy theory about.
Mike, I saw the same chopper
Mike, I saw the same chopper Friday morning flying low and circling an area east of my location near Williams park.
Doug, those plants look anorexic for this time of year. Pot farmer fail.
Exactly, Frank. I guess pot
Exactly, Frank. I guess pot farmers are also being hit by the summer long, semi-drought conditions! Any weed patches I've ever seen at this time of the year (found by accident, of course) were taller than my 5' 11" frame and far wider than my 36" waist..lol. Everything I've ever seen in print says that they should be ripe by sometime in August or early September (easily found with a google search) so those buds should be fat already.
The worst thing they could've done is to admit guilt by trying to hide the plants. With that chopper overhead, they should've just waived hello and feigned ignorance about the scruffy weeds even being there. Knowing how lazy people are, there's probably a path back and forth from the weed patch to the front door of the house though..lol.
I believe that in our area
I believe that in our area all law enforcement agencies work together. With the technology the border patrol has with infra red camera's it is very difficult NOT to detect cannabis plants since they (leaves) glow. The plants seen here seem to be Sativa which grow lanky and the zone we live in is not optimum for them to flower (bud) till late September through October. Unless they are from hybrid seeds they never would have fully matured anyways. They would make a great salad at this maturity but not much potency. Don't under estimate the weight of dried leaves off of 30 to 40 plants.
Well I am certainly happy to
Well I am certainly happy to see that so many of our locals are very much aware of the horticultural aspects of cannabis production.
It indeed is evident that I live in the midst of a well read community ;)
Lol Mark, the internet is
Lol Mark, the internet is chock full of information *wink wink*
Gabor, they don't bother with
Gabor, they don't bother with the leaves. Leaves have almost no THC in them so only the desirable part of the plant is weighed. I'm pretty sure that every species of vegetation reflects a slightly different part of the light spectrum. I think that's how satellites are used to determine what areas are ripe for logging.
Look on the web and you'll find seed banks all over the world, especially the Netherlands and Canada. Our neighbors to the north are famous for their varieties of cannabis suitable for growth in northern climates. One doesn't have to be involved in the industry or culture to be aware of it or to be informed. :-)
i can see from the photos
i can see from the photos that the police are very pleased with this discovery...i'd like to see a follow up as to how much money this will cost the tax payers and the defendants....where was the infa-red homeland helicopter when my sons car got broken in to?,probably at the water cooler,patting each other on the back while chewing on a toothpick...another job well done with the tax payers money(sarcasm intended)..........
David, lol, just more federal
David, lol, just more federal grandstanding in an election year.
doug,that may be the best
doug,that may be the best part of the plant for consumption,however,for prosecution i believe the D.A. weighs the whole plant,roots and all....this way it looks and sounds like the defendants should pay a heavier fine and if future prosecution becomes necessary,the lawman will have an easier job.
Now everyone is going to be
Now everyone is going to be seeing helicopters and pulling up their weed patches...LOL! You won't need any weed to make you paranoid!
(No subject)
:O
Hey, would somebody please
Hey, would somebody please tell them that the weeds in my vegetable garden are illegal? They should come here immediately and collect all of them for testing.
I can't help but laugh at the
I can't help but laugh at the Daily News story, calling this a "pot growing operation" . 32 plants? that looked anything like those in the photos?.
No wonder after 40 years , the war on drugs is a taxpayer funded failure, and with no exit strategy, will continue to cost billions.
Yeah, but Frank it creates
Yeah, but Frank it creates jobs......................
Dave, thats right,prison
Dave, thats right,prison guards, drug counselors, cops,DEA agents, judges, lawyers, prosecutors, I guess its a whole economy within itself!!!
Oops, most of those jobs are on the taxpayers dime.
Oh no... the big bad plants
Oh no... the big bad plants could degrade the morals of our nations youth... oh no... I'm really hoping they go easy on them with the charges. I know them and they're really good, hard working people. I don't think they deserve to get slammed just because they might like to indulge in a little marijuana. 32 plants is really nothing to get excited about. An outdoor crop that size, in this area, probably wouldn't produce much more than personal use... (Google search information, of course)... And it's better/safer to do your own farming than have to get involved with some sleazy drug dealers. Don't really see how their actions were affecting anyone else. It's a victimless crime...
So, the war on drugs is like
So, the war on drugs is like the title of the Cheech and Chong movie, "Up in Smoke." :-)
Really Frank? Correctional
Really Frank? Correctional Officers do more that guard drug users and dealers. Police Officers enforce laws other than those prohibiting illegal drugs. Judges, Lawyers (Which include Prosecutors) preside over other cases than, illegal drug use or dealings. The last I knew our government makes law not Police Officers, Correctional Officers, Federal, State, County, City, Town Judges. You seem clueless when it comes to understanding how laws work and how it is enforced. Yes the above careers are payed by taxpayers. They are not some company to make a profit or line some businessman's or investor's pocket. Lawyer are out for themselves which is evident since most of our government officials seem to be prior lawyers. They are here to protect and serve all citizens. We enforce the laws put in place by the government. WE DO NOT ESTABLISH LAWS! If you do not like the current laws then, vote for a politician that supports your views. If that politician is not elected, it probably means there are more out there that oppose his/her views.
As a Police Officer myself, I am not making a profit for some business or myself. I have to listen to people whine how they been wrong, even though they know they have broken the law. They know the risk yet, they still take it. There are other drugs out there that more lethal and dangerous that, need to be stopped and kept at bay. We will never be able to control the drug flow 100%, it is impossible. My job is simple, PROTECT and SERVE the Rights and Lifes of all and I put my life on the line for this. This job is not for everyone. Most of the time it is a thankless job because, there are those who like to cry foul, when Police enforce a law that a person has CHOOSEN and IGNORE when they cross the line! However, it is worth it when, you actually help make a differnce in someone's life for the benefit of all involved. You have stated before Frank, that a person should have the right to chose what they do to themself. However, the laws of this nation have been put in place because, at some point and time, some dumasses effected the well-being of others as well. Hench why laws are made!
Realizing the law is the law,
Realizing the law is the law, a
ll I can say is, God must a real jerk for creating it........
"Hench why laws are
"Hench why laws are made!"
exactly
John, it takes extra
John, it takes extra personell to fight the war on drugs, and who said anything about profit? My point is John, we have wasted billions of dollars on a failed war. I think the money could be better spent on education, build schools, not prisons.
John, where are you going with your rant, I made a simple point about what types of jobs are created by the war on drugs? I made no other statement to warrant you going off the deep end.
Mr. Woodworth, You're a DOD
Mr. Woodworth,
You're a DOD cop at the Reserve base in Niagara Falls. I worked there once, and there was not a whole lot of drug or any other crime, but there were a lot of security violations. Are you saying there is a lot of crime at the base now?
J.W.JR, How is my not wearing
J.W.JR, How is my not wearing a seatbelt affect anyone but me?, shoots your theory right in the foot.
Frank, your "simple point
Frank, your "simple point about what types of jobs are created by the war on drugs" only pertains to DEA. Correction Officers, Police Officers, Judges and Lawyers are not created for the "War on Drugs!" They are a service who protects life, rights and keep the peace. My position is not created for the "War on Drugs!" A State Trooper, County Sheriff Deputy, and City Police are not created for the "War on Drugs!" If we did not attempt to control the flow of illegal narcotics in this country you would have more than people getting high to worry about. Going off on the deep? You mean your statement that we waste taxpayers dollars on Judges, Lawyers, Police and Correctional Officers?
Sorry duplicated and erased.
Sorry duplicated and erased.
Hmmm, let’s just say you are
Hmmm, let’s just say you are driving. You for some reason lose control of your car. During that time you slam into some obstacle which forces you out of your seat. This means you will lose total control. Now say you deflect off said obstacle and the vehicle is still out of control, with you unable to gain control. Now the vehicle is heading towards a group of people in the wrong place at the wrong time. Does this happen all the time? No! However, can this happen? Yes, back in 1995, Great Falls, MT. Individual was tossed from vehicle when it struck a brick wall of a parking lot, which then swerved vehicle across 10TH Avenue North into a parked car which hit two pedestrians. Both suffer minor injuries and the one gentleman suffered a broken leg.
Could this have been avoided? I believe if the individual was not tossed from the car they could have attempted to gain control. So Frank, my theory does not shoot me in the foot or my arse. Thanks for trying though.
Hello John, I am not sure
Hello John, I am not sure when the last time you conducted law enforcement duties here on the base. Yes, we have had numerous drug related crimes on base which does not mean it is military only. The military in general has seen a significant increase in drugs and gang related crimes. Without getting into details, crimes seem to be on the rise. Times have change John, when I first joined, gangs weren't a big problem, now they are. When I first joined, tattoes were limited, now members have full sleeves, neck and head tattoes. If, you want to compare histories of military service sometime, let me know. Maybe we can grab a cup of joe somewhere.
GOD created the Ten
GOD created the Ten Commandments. Man created LAW some based on them. Is GOD a jerk for saying, "Thou Should Not Kill?" Makes me wonder how you feel about the Colorado incident?
John, thats one hell of a
John, thats one hell of a stretch, and you are talking about one incident where a seatbelt may have made a difference.As far as the Co. massacre, I'm anti gun, so you can guess how I feel.
So John, you don't beleive it costs the taxpayers any extra money to fight the war on drugs? You don't think the courts system is over burdened with drug cases? You don't think it takes extra prison space to house drug related offenses, you don't think more prisoners requires more guards. Do you know what DEA stands for?
40 years, and billions of dollars, and no end in sight, thats reality John.
Mr. Woodworth, Who is the
Mr. Woodworth,
Who is the contact for the arrest and crime numbers at the base?
I personally know Jessica .
I personally know Jessica . I can't speak for anyone else there but i know she is a good person and it was a case of at the wrong place at the wrong time. I feel bad that she was put into the situation she was and wish her the best of luck with this whole thing.