Some marijuana consumers around the U.S may experience shortages or price increases after a sharp increase in the frequency of one ton or more marijuana busts along highways. Avocados, bananas, batteries and toilet paper are just a few of the things police have found more than 29,000 pounds of marijuana hidden inside while conducting searches of tractor trailers already during the month of February. While many of the busts took place in Texas, it’s still unclear where any of the trucks final destinations was, or more importantly, where there is expected to be shortages of marijuana. It’s also unclear if the trend is a sign of increased marijuana trafficking enforcement or a result of police investigations and/or informants.

Although it’s presumed that all of the busts were of the popular brick or “shwag” weed variety, usually imported from Mexico, some market strain could be put on locally grown higher grade supplies as a result.

Tuscola, Illinois (4,400 pounds)

Three men from California are being held on $1 million bond each after Illinois State Police found more than 2 tons of marijuana inside a semitrailer truck they were driving through eastern Illinois, 30 miles south of Champaign. A police K9 unit discovered the bundles of marijuana hidden among crates of vegetables. The suspects, 31-year-old Jesus Guzman, 35-year-old Eric Cabrera and 32-year-old Joshua Cornillez are all from the Livingston, California  area. Charges have yet to be filed but marijuana trafficking charges are expected for each pending further investigation.

Loredo, Texas (2,317 pounds)

Around the 14th of the month, Customs and Border Protection inspectors discovered more than a ton of marijuana after conducting a secondary search on a trailer filled with 1,496 boxes of car batteries near Loredo. The unnamed driver of that truck was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) to continue with investigations.

Brownsville, Texas (2,161 pounds)

The same weekend of the Loredo bust, Border Patrol agents seized 2,161 pounds from a truck in Brownsville, Texas after agents found 66 bundles of marijuana concealed in metal boxes that had been welded shut. The unnamed driver in that bust was turned over to the D.E.A.

Rio Rico, Arizona (3,470 pounds)

on February 9th, ICE agents responded and established surveillance after receiving a tip about a mysterious semitrailer at a warehouse facility. During the investigation, agents discovered there was no truck associated with the trailer or driver in the vicinity. After obtaining consent from the warehouse manager, Agents discovered the 1.75 tons of pot in 156 vacuum-sealed bags hidden within a shipment of squash. No arrests have been made and the squash was turned over to a consignee.

Weslaco, Texas (2,500 pounds)

Around February 8th, a Weslaco, Texas police patrol officer stopped a tractor trailer hauling about 2,500 pounds of marijuana inside a shipment of avocados. Police arrested Marciano Noriega Gonzalez, 45, of Yakima, Washington, and Patricia Marquez De Haro, 47, of Corona, Calif after X-ray scans revealed anomalies inside the trailer.

Otay Mesa, California (3,877 pounds & 2,000 pounds)

During the first week of the month, inspectors at the Otay Mesa cargo port found more than 3,800 pounds of marijuana hidden in a shipment of peppers and green beans. An unnamed 46-year-old Ensenada man who was driving the shipment was taken into custody.

A few days later, the same inspectors at the cargo port nabbed another ton of marijuana stashed in a load of bananas. An unnamed 40-year-old driver was arrested.

San Antonio, Texas (2,512 pounds)

on February 3rd, ICE agents seized more than a ton of pot as the result of an investiagtion that started after an inspector became suspicious of a truck that entered through Loredo. Agents followed the truck to an abandoned used car lot where they set up surveillance on the rundown building. When agents went in for the bust, they found the drugs concealed behind a fake wall that was hastily constructed. One unnamed person at the scene was arrested and police say they expect more arrests to come after an investigation.

Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (6,000 pounds)

Around the first of the month, Pennsylvania State Troopers pulled over a truck that reportedly failed to stop at a weigh station on Interstate 81. Inside the trailer they found six plywood crates with about 3 tons of marijuana hidden behind boxes. Authorities have arrested Eric Emmanuel, 35, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, and Stanley Narcisse, 34, of Winter Garden, Florida.

The driver of that truck, 51-year-old Angel Guillen Raya of Ontario, California, pleaded guilty this week to transporting the marijuana with the intent to distribute it. A U.S. attorney’s office spokesman says no one else has been charged in the case, but an investigation into the source of the marijuana is ongoing. Good luck with that. Seeing as Raya pleaded guilty to such a significant charge, chances are he didn’t give up any names.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 12th.

Original Story:

A traffic stop on Wednesday led officers to conduct a search at the first house where swat team members found 1 suspect with a semi-automatic handgun and a house full of packaged marijuana (pictured). The marijuana was bundled into 20 pound packages and the final weight has yet to be calculated.

A second house about two blocks away from the first was searched shortly after, resulting in no marijuana or cash but reportedly contained information that led officers to a third house where they found 4 duffel bags full of cash.

Police have arrested 2 people in connection with the case and believe the marijuana is part of a Mexican drug cartel operation.

Developing story, stay tuned...

Thurman told the school principal, assistant principal and Murray police that she provides her son with marijuana so he does not have to go behind her back to obtain or use it. While her defense is not likely to help her in court, it does raise an interesting discussion around how parents are to protect their children from an unregulated marijuana market. Due to continuing marijuana prohibition, anyone looking to purchase marijuana on the black market is at risk of being a victim of a violent crime.

Providing a safer way to obtain and use the marijuana despite the sons age may sound like the best solution, depending on which side of the overall marijuana debate you stand on.

Mom of the year award? or Worst mom in the world award? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Photo by: emilywjones

“Thanks for the grow! You want them back? Call for the price [phone number]. We’ll talk.”

The suspected grower, Steven Locascio, 48, discovered his plants missing and found the note only minutes after investigators left the scene.  He promptly called the number hoping to negotiate the return of his six 6-foot-tall plants. After speaking with an undercover detective, Locascio agreeed to meet and pay a $200 ransom to get his plants back. After handing over the cash, he was arrested.

Police later served a search warrant on Locascio’s home where they found 20 smaller plants and 4 pounds of harvested marijuana. Locascio and his wife, Christine Locascio, 50, were both charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and sale of marijuana.

Photo by: Heart of Oak

Two people were also detained for concealing marijuana in their underwear (possibly following this guy’s advice) after customs K9 units tipped officers off to the marijuana.

In all, three people were fined $500 for stashing marijuana but were not charged criminally due to the small amounts they were caught with (less than 20 grams total).

School officials were surprised to discover the backpack belonged to Harry Williams, 70, a substitute teacher at the school who had sat down with the backpack and forgot to pick it up when he left. Williams was questioned and admitted that it was his backpack and marijuana, but that he forgot it was in his bag when he came to work.

Williams told officials he had a note from his doctor allowing him to have marijuana for medical reasons. He was cited for possession of marijuana on school grounds and sent home by school officials. No word on if he will be allowed back.

Photo: House of Sims

Authorities say drug-sniffing dogs alerted officers to a total of 458 wrapped packages in 67 boxes and investigators estimate the marijuana’s value around $6 million. A 30-year-old trucker from Mexicali, Mexico, was arrested. His name wasn’t released.

Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

An investigation was launched after police smelled marijuana from the station parking lot adjacent to the industrial building that housed the grow site. Investigators also discovered an unusually high electric bill to secure a search warrant which was executed Wednesday afternoon. Police also admitted the grow had been there at least 8 months despite being so close.

Officials say the growers installed a new ventilation system and used insulation material to seal cracks in the building to try to eliminate the smell of the 850 high grade marijuana plants which proved unsuccessful. Three people were arrested, though their names were not immediately available. All face multiple narcotics charges and endless “dumb criminal” mentions on T.V and blogs for years to come.

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A subsaquent search of the bus turned up 2 ounces of marijuana, 110 ecstasy tablets and $8,615 in cash. All eight people were arrested for suspicion of drug possession with intent to sell. The driver was given a speeding ticket and released.

No actual “members” of the Wu-Tang Clan were present however it is worth noting that DJ Mathematics (@mathematics7) created the legendary Wu-Tang logo (fun fact). Chief Bob Paudert of the West Memphis Police Department was not impressed, telling reporters he thinks “those entertainers think they’re above the law” and added “I don’t know what musical instruments they played or if they even play musical instruments, but they said they were rappers.”