bear1949
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posted on January 8, 2003 01:37:34 PM new
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Two women accused of growing marijuana in their homes made so much money they bought three neighboring houses so they could grow more plants, prosecutors allege.
But investigators learned of their activities last summer when a bank teller called police to say that the women's cash deposits smelled like marijuana.
In documents made public Monday, prosecutors contend Kathleen Jenny and Virginia Erickson were the brains behind the $1 million pot growing operation that began in 1994 in their basements.
The women, both 59, agreed last week to plead guilty to money laundering, authorities said. They face up to six years in prison, instead of the mandatory 10-year federal prison term.
The business was so successful that the women eventually involved their husbands and bought the three other neighborhood homes in which to grow more marijuana, court documents allege.
Drug agents who searched the homes found more than 500 marijuana plants, $110,000 in cash and psychedelic mushrooms. Investigators said as many as 4,000 plants were grown.
The women's husbands, Francis Jenny, 65, and Jack Erickson, 66, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture more than 1,000 marijuana plants, and face between two-and a half and three years in prison. A fifth defendant, Gregory Montgomery, 54, pleaded guilty Monday to the same charge.
All five will remain free until they are sentenced in the spring.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Rice said federal agencies are investigating whether more people were involved.
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20030108/D7OE03300.html
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Linda_K
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posted on January 8, 2003 03:01:54 PM new
Wow!! That's quite a business they had going there. Hope they enjoyed it while it lasted, because now they'll suffer the consequences. What a way to spend your retirement years, heh? I'm always surprised when I read of older folks doing this. But....there's big money in selling drugs, and many find that easier than earning a living. What a shame.
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gravid
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posted on January 8, 2003 04:06:49 PM new
"many find that easier than earning a living."
It's called farming.
Saying they "Manufactured" pot is silly government speak. They don't want to remind people that it is as simple and old a skill as civilized people have.
They don't talk about manufacturing tobacco or corn.
Hysteria is what it is.
Might as well be burning witches for all the sense it makes.
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junquemama
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posted on January 8, 2003 04:15:21 PM new
Pretty good chance they lost everything, after the arrest.All for Nada,They got sloppy.Money does that,when its easy.
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profe51
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posted on January 8, 2003 04:47:16 PM new
What a pathetic waste of tax money...
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canvid13
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posted on January 8, 2003 04:49:25 PM new
..and imagine how much money the gov't would've recieved in tax if it was legal?
I guess Prohibition wasn't lesson enough...
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kraftdinner
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posted on January 8, 2003 04:52:59 PM new
Duh!!! If they were laundering the money, how come the bank teller could smell it?
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gravid
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posted on January 8, 2003 05:08:40 PM new
Duh!!! If they were laundering the money, how come the bank teller could smell it?
Just love it!
I can see a new ad for Tide -
A big basket of 20's wet and limp.
Spring time fresh! - Easy on your drug dog's nose!
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bear1949
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posted on January 8, 2003 08:15:14 PM new
That bank teller must be very experienced in detecting the scent of pot.
go figure.
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Helenjw
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posted on January 8, 2003 08:42:20 PM new
There was a song about the smell...
Stop. Hey.
What's that smell?
Everybody look what's goin' down.
ed. to clarify my expression.
[ edited by Helenjw on Jan 9, 2003 08:04 AM ]
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junquemama
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posted on January 8, 2003 09:14:06 PM new
You've got to stop!Hey!Whats that sound?
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Helenjw
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posted on January 8, 2003 09:40:57 PM new
junquemama
There is a less popular version of that song about the smell of marijuana. I like your's better!
Helen
[ edited by Helenjw on Jan 9, 2003 08:01 AM ]
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rawbunzel
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posted on January 8, 2003 10:45:34 PM new
At least the "drug" money they made didn't go to the terrorists.
I really wish we would decriminalize pot.
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clarksville
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posted on January 9, 2003 09:57:17 AM new
Even though I used to smoke it, I don't now and wouldn't if it was legal and readily available like tobacco (cigarette, cigars, pipe etc). That's just me. However, if other people want to, it is IMO (as stated zillion times before here at RT by many) like alcohol.
I think that the tobacco and alcohol businesses don't want the competition. I think that people's choice would be M over alcohol and tobacco. M would put them out of business.
The electric companies would enjoy the added income, though. Wait, nowadays, one can have their own powergrid. I guess I'll take that back.
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junquemama
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posted on January 9, 2003 11:27:59 AM new
Helen,I have not heard the version useing smell.Sounds like a rap song...
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gravid
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posted on January 9, 2003 11:28:02 AM new
I am going to grow tomatoes soon with grow lights in my home and I fully expect the police to see something either in my electric use pattern or externally readable therma signature that there is such activity in the home and I bet they will assume I am growing pot.
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Helenjw
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posted on January 9, 2003 11:49:44 AM new
Well, junquemama, Most people here are only in touch with the "ever sweet and exceedingly intelligent Helen" .
I'll bet you had no idea that I know about rap music too! LOL
I do have to work on the clarity of my expression though.
Helen
[ edited by Helenjw on Jan 9, 2003 11:58 AM ]
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Helenjw
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posted on January 9, 2003 11:55:02 AM new
gravid
I hope that you'll send me some seeds. Our police don't care what is happening unless it occurs in an automobile.
Helen
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Helenjw
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posted on January 9, 2003 12:19:21 PM new
After reading the compliments that I receive in this chat room, I need a drug to heal the wounds.
The thought above is made without pretense and with all the clarity of expression that I can manage.
Helen
[ edited by Helenjw on Jan 9, 2003 12:25 PM ]
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kyms
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posted on January 9, 2003 12:49:43 PM new
"many find that easier than earning a living."
They had to constantly plant, fertilize, and maintain three houses full of plants. Then harvest, dry, weigh and package the product. All the while having to find someone to distribute the goods, avoid the law and have personal lives?
Sounds like work to me.
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kraftdinner
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posted on January 9, 2003 01:10:42 PM new
Well, junquemama, Most people here are only in touch with the "ever sweet and exceedingly intelligent Helen"
Good gawd!
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Helenjw
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posted on January 9, 2003 01:23:51 PM new
Did I hear some piss-ant criticizing my well reasoned thought made with precision of thought and clarity of expression?
Helen...still ever sweet, exceedingly intelligent and wonderful.
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junquemama
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posted on January 9, 2003 01:28:45 PM new
Helen...still ever sweet, exceedingly intelligent and wonderful.
Helen,I have never thought of you any less,,
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Helenjw
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posted on January 9, 2003 01:37:27 PM new
Good
Every now and then, I have to double check.
LOL
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kraftdinner
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posted on January 9, 2003 02:31:24 PM new
Did I hear some piss-ant criticizing my well reasoned thought made with precision of thought and clarity of expression?
Not at all, you gorgeous, well-respected, Mensa member. I was just shocked at your humbleness...
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Twelvepole
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posted on January 9, 2003 05:32:43 PM new
WELCOME TO RETIREMENT!
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
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Helenjw
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posted on January 9, 2003 07:55:50 PM new
Looks like everyone is HAPPY on the pot thead. Twelvepole is jumping and typing like JACK!
Kraftdinner, I'm happy to see that you added grogeous to my description. I can see from your pictures that you have had that cross of drop dead beauty to bear also. How can anybody be humble when we are all soooo good!!! LOL!!!
Helen
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