radiodoug
08-31-2010, 10:28 PM
Earlier this year, an Oregonian named Juan Pineda-Moreno was convicted of growing marijuana after police tracked his car to a suspected growing site. Pineda-Moreno appealed, citing the fact that on two occasions DEA agents placed tracking devices on his car while it was in his driveway -- which he considered private, not public, property -- and therefore breached his Fourth Amendment rights.
Pineda-Moreno tipped law enforcement off when he was seen buying a large amount of fertilizer from Home Depot. The fertilizer, one typically used to grow marijuana, was purchased in conjunction with groceries, irrigation supplies and deer repellant and placed in the back of his 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The Drug Enforcement Agency decided to study Pineda-Moreno more closely, placing GPS tracking devices on his vehicle. The devices, about the size of a bar of soap, were placed on the underside of his vehicle on seven different occasions -- four times while parked on the street outside of his residence, once in a public parking lot and twice while parked in his driveway. Reports indicate that police placed the devices on his vehicle between 4:00 and 5:00 AM in the mornings.
While tracking his vehicle, officials recognized Pineda-Moreno's car was leaving a commonly known marijuana growing location. They located his Jeep, pulled him over and noted the smell of marijuana coming from his car. All three people in the car were placed under arrest and when officials searched Pineda-Moreno's trailer, they found two large garbage bags full of weed.
What's undisputed is that Pineda-Moreno was in possession of marijuana. But should the manner in which police tracked him get called into question? While Pineda-Moreno lost this recent appeal, expect him to take it to a higher court (the U.S. Supreme Court) in the coming year.
What??? Here I was thinking Oregon was a compassionate and free state. Wow. They found two large garbage bags full of weed. Big deal. Like it was some dangerous substance. Gimme a break. This is intolerable. Folks, we ain't outta the woods, yet. Until these laws are changed, people like this poor guy are gonna fill our jails. What if you're a Caregiver? What do you do, then?
Damn police. Ain't got enough to do, except chase marijuana growers. Sheesh! Big bad cops. Utterly disgusting. And ya wonder why Law Enforcement is hated by so many. You needed to see this. :mad:
Pineda-Moreno tipped law enforcement off when he was seen buying a large amount of fertilizer from Home Depot. The fertilizer, one typically used to grow marijuana, was purchased in conjunction with groceries, irrigation supplies and deer repellant and placed in the back of his 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The Drug Enforcement Agency decided to study Pineda-Moreno more closely, placing GPS tracking devices on his vehicle. The devices, about the size of a bar of soap, were placed on the underside of his vehicle on seven different occasions -- four times while parked on the street outside of his residence, once in a public parking lot and twice while parked in his driveway. Reports indicate that police placed the devices on his vehicle between 4:00 and 5:00 AM in the mornings.
While tracking his vehicle, officials recognized Pineda-Moreno's car was leaving a commonly known marijuana growing location. They located his Jeep, pulled him over and noted the smell of marijuana coming from his car. All three people in the car were placed under arrest and when officials searched Pineda-Moreno's trailer, they found two large garbage bags full of weed.
What's undisputed is that Pineda-Moreno was in possession of marijuana. But should the manner in which police tracked him get called into question? While Pineda-Moreno lost this recent appeal, expect him to take it to a higher court (the U.S. Supreme Court) in the coming year.
What??? Here I was thinking Oregon was a compassionate and free state. Wow. They found two large garbage bags full of weed. Big deal. Like it was some dangerous substance. Gimme a break. This is intolerable. Folks, we ain't outta the woods, yet. Until these laws are changed, people like this poor guy are gonna fill our jails. What if you're a Caregiver? What do you do, then?
Damn police. Ain't got enough to do, except chase marijuana growers. Sheesh! Big bad cops. Utterly disgusting. And ya wonder why Law Enforcement is hated by so many. You needed to see this. :mad: