Qtec
08-16-2003, 04:18 AM
DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- Colorado police can set up fake checkpoints in hopes of sniffing out illegal drugs, an appeals court ruled in a case where camouflage-clad officers spied on fans during a bluegrass festival in 2000.
Thursday's ruling, which reversed an earlier finding, was based on a federal appeals court decision last year in a similar case in Oklahoma.
Police at the Telluride festival had posted signs along the road saying, "Narcotics checkpoint, one mile ahead" and "Narcotics canine ahead." Officers wearing camouflage hid on a hill and watched for any people who turned around or appeared to toss drugs out of their windows after seeing the signs.
Police pulled over Stephen Roth, 60, for littering after they found a marijuana pipe tossed from his window. Two other pipes and mushrooms were found in a search of his car.
I,m sure people will sleep safer in their beds knowing that this 60 yr old man with his weed pipe is locked up .
For the cops , a bust is a bust.
Catching people smoking a bud at a Blue Grass festival is easier and less dangerous than going after murderers, rapists and general low life .
AND they have to resort to these tactics. Pretty soon , the constitution will be so eroded, they will be able to put you away for thinking .
Actually , I think they can do that already .
Q
http://edition.cnn.com/2003/LAW/08/15/fake.checkpoints.ap/index.html
Thursday's ruling, which reversed an earlier finding, was based on a federal appeals court decision last year in a similar case in Oklahoma.
Police at the Telluride festival had posted signs along the road saying, "Narcotics checkpoint, one mile ahead" and "Narcotics canine ahead." Officers wearing camouflage hid on a hill and watched for any people who turned around or appeared to toss drugs out of their windows after seeing the signs.
Police pulled over Stephen Roth, 60, for littering after they found a marijuana pipe tossed from his window. Two other pipes and mushrooms were found in a search of his car.
I,m sure people will sleep safer in their beds knowing that this 60 yr old man with his weed pipe is locked up .
For the cops , a bust is a bust.
Catching people smoking a bud at a Blue Grass festival is easier and less dangerous than going after murderers, rapists and general low life .
AND they have to resort to these tactics. Pretty soon , the constitution will be so eroded, they will be able to put you away for thinking .
Actually , I think they can do that already .
Q
http://edition.cnn.com/2003/LAW/08/15/fake.checkpoints.ap/index.html