News (Media Awareness Project) - US CA: Marijuana Returned To Manteca Grower |
| Title: | US CA: Marijuana Returned To Manteca Grower |
| Published On: | 2001-08-19 |
| Source: | Record, The (CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-25 10:36:22 |
MARIJUANA RETURNED TO MANTECA GROWER
Manteca police gave David Willson's pot plants back Thursday, about 18
months after officers raided his home, seizing marijuana and other property.
Law enforcement officials in the south San Joaquin County city expressed
disappointment and vowed to continue to bust residents possessing drugs
deemed illegal.
Police officials released growing equipment and several guns Aug. 3, after
San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge K. Peter Saiers ordered the return
of all the property taken from Willson's rural Manteca home. But officials
held onto the marijuana while considering an appeal.
Thursday, Willson picked up 5 pounds of marijuana, including dried buds and
174 plants, at the police station after his lawyer threatened to press
contempt-of-court charges.
In a written statement, Police Chief Charles Halford said he was not happy.
Police called it one of the biggest cultivation cases in the city's history.
In June, a jury acquitted Willson and his wife, Lisa Marie Willson, of
cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. David Willson, a building
contractor, said he grew the pot to treat severe headaches and anxiety.
"It's been the law since November 1996 that medical marijuana is not
contraband," said William Logan, Willson's lawyer.
Manteca narcotics detective Steve Harris said the decision was a hard pill
to swallow, but it doesn't change the department's responsibility to uphold
the law.
"We are still going to do our job arresting bad guys and throwing them in
jail," Harris said.
On Friday, officers made three drug arrests, he said.
Police arrested 30-year-old Jason Sewell in the 100 block of Sycamore
Avenue after they reportedly found nearly $10,000 worth of methamphetamine
in his possession.
Officers also arrested Baltazar Hernandez, 24, and Rodrigo Niteo, 23, at an
apartment complex in the 700 block of Stewart Street on charges of
possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana for sale. -- Dale
Gieringer (415) 563-5858 // canorml@igc.org 2215-R Market St. #278, San
Francisco CA 94114
- ---
Manteca police gave David Willson's pot plants back Thursday, about 18
months after officers raided his home, seizing marijuana and other property.
Law enforcement officials in the south San Joaquin County city expressed
disappointment and vowed to continue to bust residents possessing drugs
deemed illegal.
Police officials released growing equipment and several guns Aug. 3, after
San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge K. Peter Saiers ordered the return
of all the property taken from Willson's rural Manteca home. But officials
held onto the marijuana while considering an appeal.
Thursday, Willson picked up 5 pounds of marijuana, including dried buds and
174 plants, at the police station after his lawyer threatened to press
contempt-of-court charges.
In a written statement, Police Chief Charles Halford said he was not happy.
Police called it one of the biggest cultivation cases in the city's history.
In June, a jury acquitted Willson and his wife, Lisa Marie Willson, of
cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. David Willson, a building
contractor, said he grew the pot to treat severe headaches and anxiety.
"It's been the law since November 1996 that medical marijuana is not
contraband," said William Logan, Willson's lawyer.
Manteca narcotics detective Steve Harris said the decision was a hard pill
to swallow, but it doesn't change the department's responsibility to uphold
the law.
"We are still going to do our job arresting bad guys and throwing them in
jail," Harris said.
On Friday, officers made three drug arrests, he said.
Police arrested 30-year-old Jason Sewell in the 100 block of Sycamore
Avenue after they reportedly found nearly $10,000 worth of methamphetamine
in his possession.
Officers also arrested Baltazar Hernandez, 24, and Rodrigo Niteo, 23, at an
apartment complex in the 700 block of Stewart Street on charges of
possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana for sale. -- Dale
Gieringer (415) 563-5858 // canorml@igc.org 2215-R Market St. #278, San
Francisco CA 94114
- ---
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