A bothched pot bust... another black eye for FPD
I've been on vacation and heard about this pot bust that went sideways. The stoners who live there should have known the law and should have realized that cars coming and going in minutes looks really bad to the neighbors. They should have also known the 12 plant max. That being said, the cops (Drug Task Force) made up of Natick Cop and two FPD officers arrive at the home on Prior Drive and, without a search warrant, threaten to kick in the door if the female occupant doesn't let them in to "secure the house". The issue of no search warrant is clearly evident on the home security footage as is the cop taking a swing at a pregnant dog defending his property. While another begins to search the house while waiting for the search warrant.
There's way more detail to all of this that has been published. I have to agree, they were breaking the law by having over 12 plants and should pay a fine. Taking legally owned guns and all the money the cops could take from the residents is over the top. Cops must respond to complaints from neighbors, it's their job. But in the grand scheme of things, since we have legalized marijuana, pot busts should be the lowest priority.
On a related note, the SJC ruled that unburnt pot odor not grounds to search a warehouse where defendant Gregory Long was arrested for growing pot back in 2017 in Amherst in a 11k sf building.
Matt Segal from the ACLU is quoted in yesterday's Globe, " Respecting the will of the voters means that the police should not be investigating marijuana-related conduct that's not a crime in Mass".
Thankfully they didn't go in with guns drawn and accidentally killing someone.
https://patch.com/massachusetts/framingham/police-seized-guns-pot-plants-controversial-framingham-raid?utm_term=article-slot-1&utm_source=newsletter-daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 6:30 PM
13 Comments
13 Comments:
As much as I hate to admit this I agree with what Deb Butler has posted. This is going to lead to one hell of a lawsuit.
the big point is that they had no search warrant and threatened the woman to get inside in spite of that. poor police behavior but not surprising given the history of our FPD cops breaking the law and getting away with it
the DA in this case told Source that "there was some confusion" about the search warrant. I can't wait to read what charges are being brought against the family.
This is bullshit. Cops say they are under staffed but they have time for a pot bust. Sounds like they are not under staffed at all if they have time to do these illegal moves When is the city going to demand better performance from those we pay to uphold the law. If a pot bust is their priority something is wrong here
I want to know who approved this raid without a search warrant in hand. Was s Trask involved? And exactly who was “confused” about the warrant ? Question is confused or just ignoring the law?
We have had serious issues with cops for years when is the mayor or district council going to do something about these issue. Right or wrong the perception of our Framingham cops is that they aren’t good. We need to fix that
What makes you think the mayor has any control over the FPD? They do what they want when they want with absolutely no repercussions. Look at the theft from the evidence room: the non cop acting like a cop: the murder of Mr. Stamps. Did any one pay for any of those crimes? Why expect it to change now?
our police department is in chaos. when is the city going to do something about it
They are running out of eyes to be blackened. Then what is going to happen? I suspect nothing as the mayor and DCs are all afraid of the police
I don’t understand this. I thought cops could not enter without a warrant unless invited. Am I wrong?
Something smells bad with this whole thing but I doubt we will ever get the truth. Our mayor is far from being transparent
Like many questionable incidents that have happened at FPD over the years, getting to the truth is made harder by those who don't want to deal with it. I suspect the Mayor will do the same with this latest issue.
Cops do need to get a search warrant, issued by the local DA or clerk magistrate before entering a house. FPD contends that they were securing the house so that no evidence would be destroyed before the search warrant was issued.
Still no charges have been filed as far as I know. But you can bet, the residents are already seeking counsel.
Does everyone realize that a half hour before the search, this woman's son was seen selling weed in the home's driveway? When arrested, he admitted selling the weed and told the cops that more weed and the cash he got for the illegal sale was inside the home. My understanding is that this kid was a minor and therefore not allowed to have weed in his possession.
Also, the person arrested says he usually buys the weed from this woman's husband and showed the cops that he had the number on his cell phone.
I am guessing that the DA is trying to form a case against both adults.
Not too many people have donated to their gofundme account and they hired an expensive lawyer.
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