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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Winning the War on Drugs

posted by on July 30 at 15:59 PM

In Maryland.

The Mayor of Berwyn Heights, Md. was the target of a drug raid Wednesday after a package containing several pounds of marijuana was shipped to his home, according to police.

Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo is still reeling after a team of heavily armed sheriff deputies burst into his home Wednesday. “It was an explosion followed immediately by gunfire,” said Calvo.

The deputies bound the mayor and fired shots, killing the Calvo’s two black Labradors. Calvo tearfully expressed his love for his “good dogs” while showing ABC 7 reporter Brad Bell, exactly where they were shot by a Prince George’s county sheriff.

After the Calvo’s brought, unknowingly they claim, the package into their home Tuesday evening, the waiting officers moved in. The Calvo’s said the box wasn’t even opened when the officers stormed into their residence.

In Michigan.

A Cass County man apparently shot himself as police came to his door during a drug investigation Monday, authorities said.

Nels Wilson, 51, was found dead inside his mobile home at 25560 Jefferson Court Road after Michigan State Police approached his home to question him about marijuana plants found growing outside, according to a news release.

Police had flown over Wilson’s property as part of Operation Hemp, a joint venture of the Southwest Enforcement Team and State Police, and spotted more than 130 marijuana plants.

In Ohio.

A woman shot and killed by a police officer during a drug raid was likely on her knees and complying with a SWAT team’s orders to get down when she was hit in the neck and chest, two experts testified Wednesday at the officer’s trial.

A forensic pathologist and firearms expert each said that bullet wounds indicate that Tarika Wilson, 26, wasn’t standing.

Sgt. Joseph Chavalia has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor counts of negligent homicide and negligent assault. He faces up to eight months in jail if convicted of both counts.

RSS icon Comments

1

Nice to know that our law enforcement professionals are keeping our communities safe from the horror of marijuana. As we all know, marijuana destroys families and may even lead to YOUR daughter dating someone of hispanic or even african decent. Thank God the Stamp Act was passed in the 30's to protect all right thinking Americans.

I hope that SWAT team goes after that unAmerican homosexual Barney Frank NEXT!

Posted by Westside forever | July 30, 2008 4:16 PM
2

This saddens me greatly, and makes me hope that someone listens to Barney Frank. Please?

Posted by Tom C. | July 30, 2008 4:19 PM
3

One more thought...can we get a comparisson of the number of people (and animals) who have died during raids on posessors/growers, vs. the number of people who have ever died from using marijuana? :P

Posted by Tom C. | July 30, 2008 4:22 PM
4

Note to self: if the Mayor ever bothers me, have unnamed source deliver some "special brownies" to his house and call Feds from disposable cell phone thrown in ocean.

Posted by Will in Seattle | July 30, 2008 4:24 PM
5

Aww, @4 beat me to it, though I was going to say your neighbor with the pit bulls.

How long does it take to flush 30 pounds of pot? did they really need to kick in the door, couldn't they just knock?
But who brings home a 30lb box (bomb?) that they weren't expecting, especially a politician?

Posted by Epimetheus | July 30, 2008 4:38 PM
6

@5 - it depends on if you have a low-flush toilet or not.

Posted by Will in Seattle | July 30, 2008 5:21 PM
7

Unfortunately, dogs appear to be a common innocent bystander in the war on drugs:

The drug war goes to the dogs

Posted by Josh | July 30, 2008 5:32 PM
8

The cop is only facing 8 months if convicted on both counts? For killing an unarmed woman on her knees? While holding an infant? That's a fucking travesty.

Then again, today the MN rags report that 8 MPLS officers were awarded 'honors' for surviving a botched 'no knock' drug/gang raid, (they fucked up, of course - lying informant) where the homeowner was defending his family against intruders. At least nobody was hurt.

I shouldn't be surprised.

Sorry, I suck at linking, otherwise I would.

Posted by drewl | July 30, 2008 10:31 PM
9

Remember, concealed video cameras are your best friend if they knock in your door.

Unless you're dead, in which case ... um.

Posted by Will in Seattle | July 30, 2008 10:39 PM
10

sue the motherfuckers. this was the MAYOR of the town, and the county sheriff raided his house & shot his dogs (one of them was running away!)?

heads need to roll, starting with the sheriff.

Posted by max solomon | July 31, 2008 11:20 AM

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