RutlandHerald.com - We Are Vermont

Orwell pot bust nets $100K



Vermont State Police trooper Casey Daniell unloads a pickup full of marijuana plants outside of the Vermont State Police barracks in Rutland on Friday. State police netted as much as $100,000 worth of marijuana and 32 firearms in a raid Friday.

Vyto Starinskas / Rutland Herald
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By Brent Curtis Staff Writer - Published: October 10, 2009

State police showed off a literal truckload of evidence seized during a raid Thursday that netted as much as $100,000 worth of marijuana and 32 firearms.

Twenty-seven neon-green marijuana plants measuring several feet in length were piled so high in the back of a police pickup parked at the Rutland State Police barracks on Friday that they threatened to spill over the sides. And the plants in the truck were only part of the raid, which netted anywhere from 40 pounds to 50 pounds of marijuana, according to Trooper Casey Daniell. With a street value of roughly $2,000 a pound, Daniell said the crop was at least worth about $80,000.

"They get pretty big," Daniell said as pulled the plants out of the truck.

The drugs were seized along with rifles, shotguns and a pair of assault rifles, during raids at a home and commercial garage owned by Mike Shaw of Orwell.

The 48-year-old, self-employed mechanic was arrested peacefully and cited to appear in Middlebury District Court on charges of felony marijuana cultivation and possession. While police say the were tipped off two weeks ago that Shaw was selling marijuana out of his garage on Needham Road, Daniell and barracks commander Lt. David Notte said Friday that police haven't found any evidence that Shaw was distributing the drug.

That said, police say the investigation into Shaw's alleged cultivation operation is continuing with possible federal involvement in the future.

Daniell and Notte said state police have contacted agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives about Shaw's possession of the guns. As a convicted felon, Shaw is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Notte said Shaw has a conviction for felony drunken driving.

Asked if he believed the crop seized by police was for Shaw's personal use, Notte said "Not in my opinion."

Police also found marijuana plants and processed marijuana at Shaw's home on Fisher Road, which Notte described as a remote dirt road. Shaw shares his home with his wife and adult son and daughter — none of whom have been arrested or charged with a crime.

None of the marijuana patches or drying areas was booby-trapped, police said, but Notte said Shaw had installed surveillance cameras to view the area around the small diesel shop that he runs by himself.

brent.curtis@rutlandherald.com








READER COMMENTS


I don't really see how you can tell how good or bad those plants are by that terrible pic, but my eyes aren't what they used to be and it DOES look pretty skanky, even if it was high quality hydro, once it's processed and dried that 80-100 lbs becomes 30 or possibly 40 lbs MAX...

Enoch, is that a cheese eater I hear??? If the family has your property, go get it, don't call the cops on someone growing a little weed..

There ARE hemp patches all over the state, it used to be a viable crop throughout the USA, it's what the economy was based on when it was founded. Maybe this is one of those left overs, there are at least 2 in Clarendon that I know of, been there all my life, that's 44 years.

No Way, since it's obvious the RCPD is afraid of the punks, just grab a few friends and some baseball bats and reclaim your neighborhood, if you won't do it, post some addresses, there are a few good citizens who aren't afraid to take care of these punks, there were REAL gangs long before these kids came around and some of the old timers aren't afraid to still go roll in the mud & blood....
-- Posted by joe smith on Thu, Oct 15, 2009, 9:30 am EST

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"None of which have been charged." That is a phrase we hear way too often. This family wasn't charged for the stolen goods they had of mine either. Maybe not charging them again will help them see the light.
-- Posted by Enoch on Wed, Oct 14, 2009, 7:11 pm EST

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Legalize the herb! Stop plate tectonics!!! ban protests!!!!!
-- Posted by Larry Patin on Tue, Oct 13, 2009, 11:26 am EST

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Joe Biker, I think I asked you before if I knew you. I still think I do.
-- Posted by White Witch on Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 9:56 pm EST

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I have to agree with Nunya, this is low quality marijuana at best and Joe Biker, don't ever smoke chinese drywall, bad ****!!! Just kidding...in a pinch it could be alright. If the government would only stop hording the profits we could all be fine.
-- Posted by White Witch on Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 9:55 pm EST

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I have to agree with Nunya. those 'trees' look more like hemp. You'd get a better high (and less headaches) from smoking chinese drywall.
-- Posted by Joe Biker on Sun, Oct 11, 2009, 11:18 am EST

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None None, Do you do anything with your life besides read the rutland herald and post comments on it all day long about every story in it. Get a job and get off welfare. You obviosly have skills to get a job, you are a know it all.
-- Posted by Bruce Cast on Sun, Oct 11, 2009, 3:57 am EST

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No Way
Your post hits the nail on the head. And what about the doctor in Rutland that prescribes 120 narcotic pain pills a week for some one under 100 pounds; who then sells them for for a net profit of $4799 a month. The state pays the $1.00 for the prescription. And that is just one example. It's happening all over.
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 8:11 pm EST

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Trooper Daniell looks way too happy and gleeful. He looks like a pot head that just found a huge stash.
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 7:46 pm EST

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Its just a waste of time and money none none for the most part, so sorry!(KMA MEATHEAD!!)
-- Posted by True Vermonter on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 6:41 pm EST

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From what I heard on a news report this was reported to police by a concerned citizen. A warrant was obtained & the properties searched. How come I have tipped the police a 1/2 dozen times about the heroin & crack houses in Rutland, the constant out in the open drug dealing on the street corners, the gang bangers from away openly distributing in my neighborhood & they are STILL in business months later. Is a weed more important than the crap these out of state dealers are getting the youth of this area hooked on???
-- Posted by No Way on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 4:19 pm EST

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Hey True Vermonter,
Don't get after the cops here. If you have a problem with the laws they are paid to enforce, get after your legislators and leave the cops alone. Ignoramus.
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 3:36 pm EST

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If Pot was Legal there would be no need for random individuals to grow large amounts and think they can make a fortune selling. Alaska has been allowing it for years, I really do not hear of any major problems in Alaska. I don't hear of any Organized crime to speak of in Alaska, nor do I hear of drive by shootings in Anchorage, I don't even hear of large drug busts in Alaska. What is wrong with that picture? Alaska allows you to grow for your own personal use and they are in the News?

Look at the seed pods on those plants, that decreases the quality when there is seed pods. He didn't separate the males from the females and yet they still say it had the same street value. Don't figure. It is for the most part very low quality pot.

I have a great idea, seeing how no one knows what happens to the pot once confiscated by the Police, let's say we have a big bon fire. We can have a bakery sales all around and maybe game suppers as well and then people can gather around the Bon fire and watch it all burn and then take a deep breath and go get something to eat.
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 10:45 am EST

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check out the laws and people who have felony convictions for DUI's then get back to me... if your going to school then put your education to good use and be a critical thinker! Enough said good luck to you!
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 10:22 am EST

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None None, per your suggestion, I did read the article again. Where did it say he must abstain from alcohol ? For the record, at 34 years of age, I own my own home, pay taxes, have a wonderful wife, 2 healthy children, work a full time job and still find time for college courses to further myself. Sounds like I'm going pretty far in this World, wouldn't you say ?
-- Posted by Autumn Ahlers on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 10:17 am EST

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One gun is too many for a felon!
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 10:11 am EST

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Okay Atumn, I give up but you don't win. The article does state that Shaw has a conviction for felony DRUNK DRIVING! Drunk driving becomes a felony after three arrests for that offense (first and second time you are caught it is a misdemeanor). Now I give because there is no reasoning with people like you.
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 10:10 am EST

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None None, they called the ATF about the guns in possession while a convicted felon. No where in this comment thread has anyone mentioned the fact he had 32 firearms which I do see as a legitimate reason for him to go to jail.
-- Posted by Autumn Ahlers on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 10:02 am EST

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I wuz jes reedin' bout how the Colombian and Mexican kartels are now growing in remote spots the US in order to compete with guys like this. Whaddya gonna do?
Made in the USA.
-- Posted by Michael Lehtonen on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 9:54 am EST

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Autumn, you really need to read the article again. Shaw is a felon drunk, that is why they called the ATF in. As for the other statement read my post again I said "I have heard" I didn't claim to read it in the hearld. Classic case of a brain on drugs.. Keep on defending people who support your habit, your gonna go far in this world!
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 9:50 am EST

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Woops! That would be "income tax evasion" . . . damn pot did it to me again!
-- Posted by Autumn Ahlers on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 9:48 am EST

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None None, any idiot can put a marijuana seed in the ground and have it grow to gigantic proportions, it is a weed. No prior experience is needed. In reading the column, I don't see anything about income tax invasion nor that he was caught smoking weed or that this was a result of his prior DUI conviction. At least I can blame pot for my idiotic post and can always stop smoking, what's your excuse ?
-- Posted by Autumn Ahlers on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 9:36 am EST

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Oh this is too funny. Few years ago they busted a huge crop roughly in the same area, different owner, but screwed up the search so the guy went free. Nice to see those training skills are being put to task. Course he left peacefully he was "stoned."
-- Posted by Sam Hubert on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 9:18 am EST

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My word just goes to show you what pot does to your brain! Look at your posts they don't even make sense. By the size of the crop (no matter the quality) I would say he has been doing this for a long time now. From what I hear he owns a lot of property and pays very little income tax so it is only fair that he pays the piper for his ill gotten gains. One thing that is of concern with me is will the convicted DUI felon finally lose his privilege to drive for life now that he has not proven abstinence from drugs and alcohol, cause if he didn't have reason to drink before he surely has a good reason now!
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 9:17 am EST

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Congratulations ! While you were out rummaging around the woods for a harmless plant, there where undoubtedly tens if not hundreds of young children throughout the state being victimized by habitual sexual offenders. Glad our tax money is being allocated for a more important cause (sarcasm intended). Seriously, how many thousands of dollars did it cost us to bust a crop worth roughly $100,000 ? More important, what did we gain by this marijuana bust ? I don't feel any safer or maybe I'm just paranoid ;-)~ .
-- Posted by Autumn Ahlers on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 9:09 am EST

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From that photo, that looks more like hemp, not marijuana. If it is marijuana, it certainly wasn't cultivated properly and whoever bought that crap was definitely disappointed.
-- Posted by steve Nunya on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 9:03 am EST

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Hey, thats medical marijuana, leave it alone! Cops are funny, their all big and proud thinking they really accomplished something, little boys in big suits! If you really want to buy weed you can get it anywhere, its like booze at that store, and booze kills!!
-- Posted by True Vermonter on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 8:12 am EST

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hmmmmm Interesting comment bout alcohol.Felony Dui"s.Did he move from alcohol to dope Or alcohol & dope
-- Posted by mark charles on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, 8:06 am EST

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