Pennsylvania Cops Raid Elderly Couple for Marijuana Plants That Weren’t

"Edward Cramer returned home in the midst of the raid, only to be met by leveled police guns, removed from his car, arrested, and placed in the police car with his wife for the next two hours. According to the lawsuit, Cramer repeatedly asked to show police that the plants were hibiscus, with the flowers clearly in bloom, to no avail."

Continue ReadingPennsylvania Cops Raid Elderly Couple for Marijuana Plants That Weren’t

Georgia high schoolers win $3M settlement over fruitless drug sweep

"Each Worth County High School student will receive between $1,000 and $6,000, but students who attorneys say suffered more invasive violations will receive higher amounts. Hobby's attorney, Raleigh Rollins, said the settlement will be paid through the county's insurance policy rather than directly from public funds."

Continue ReadingGeorgia high schoolers win $3M settlement over fruitless drug sweep

Cop Arrested for Tampering With Breathalyzers In 20,000 DWI Cases

"The state police have insisted the part of the calibration process that Dennis skipped is 'legally required but not scientifically necessary.' However, legal experts have voiced concerns about how important every part of the calibration process is, saying that these measures are 'legally required' for good reason. Just a small percentage point on a breathalyzer could mean the difference between freedom and imprisonment."

Continue ReadingCop Arrested for Tampering With Breathalyzers In 20,000 DWI Cases

How Congress and drug company lobbyists worked to neutralize the DEA

"The law was the crowning achievement of a multifaceted campaign by the drug industry to weaken aggressive DEA enforcement efforts against drug distribution companies that were supplying corrupt doctors and pharmacists who peddled narcotics to the black market. The industry worked behind the scenes with lobbyists and key members of Congress, pouring more than a million dollars into their election campaigns."

Continue ReadingHow Congress and drug company lobbyists worked to neutralize the DEA

Abolish the Drug Enforcement Administration, Help The Poor Instead

"The DEA oversees a multibillion-dollar enterprise whose primary purpose is to criminalize millions of people for the use of drugs. Nearly half of those incarcerated in federal prison are there for drug violations, including 60 percent of all female inmates. The DEA has kept marijuana on the list of Schedule 1 drugs in the face of widespread evidence of its benign nature. Racial disparities in the policing of the drug war remain profound."

Continue ReadingAbolish the Drug Enforcement Administration, Help The Poor Instead

Trump, Duterte, Congress, and the Philippine Drug War Killings

"The Philippine National Police (PNP) acknowledge over 3,900 people have been killed in anti-drug operations under the Duterte administration, plus nearly 2,300 more drug-related murders and thousands still 'unexplained.' Our statement also notes the Philippines saw a roughly 50% increase in its official homicide rate, starting immediately when Duterte took office – hard to explain in the absence of an official policy of extrajudicial killing."

Continue ReadingTrump, Duterte, Congress, and the Philippine Drug War Killings

Detroit undercover cops brawl in drug sting gone wrong

"Video from the scene captured arguing and shoving among some of the two dozen officers there, Craig said. The video has not been released but is being reviewed as part of the investigation that will be turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether charges will be filed."

Continue ReadingDetroit undercover cops brawl in drug sting gone wrong

More Broke States Trading In Vice Enforcement For Tax Revenue

"Pennsylvania is in the midst of a budget crisis. Seeing New Jersey success is raising revenue from Internet gambling, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives suggested that to avoid a tax increase, they would follow suit. This week, after years of haggling, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a measure to make Pennsylvania the fourth state to legalize online gaming – a move that is projected to bring in $426.3 million in tax revenue from 2017 to 2022. Michigan is also considering making a move, and guess who the chief opponent is?"

Continue ReadingMore Broke States Trading In Vice Enforcement For Tax Revenue

Two NYPD Cops Charged with Raping Teen After Busting Her for Marijuana

"They didn't find any drugs on her, but handcuffed the teen anyway before coercing her into sex, her attorney, Michael David, told the New York Post. The detectives, from NYPD's Brooklyn South narcotics squad, have not denied that they engaged in sex acts with the alleged victim, but claimed they were consensual."

Continue ReadingTwo NYPD Cops Charged with Raping Teen After Busting Her for Marijuana

Cops Claim Teen Consented to Sex — While Handcuffed In Custody

"After their DNA was found on 18-year-old 'Anna Chambers' in September, the two Brooklyn narcotics officers who she accused of raping her admitted to sex with the young woman. But they claimed the contact—which occured after police pulled over Chambers on a traffic stop, found loose prescription pills in her bag, and took her into their custody—was consensual. Now they're trying to discredit her by pointing prosecutors to her 'provocative' social-media selfies and to tweets where she lashes out at someone accusing her of lying."

Continue ReadingCops Claim Teen Consented to Sex — While Handcuffed In Custody