crossing borders w/ grow equipment?

[NOKUY]

anyone have any experience w/ this?

to be specific i'm talking about a move between lower 48 and alaska ...so 2 border crossings 1 into canada and 1 into AK.

driving obviously, and bringing several HPS lamps, hoods, ballasts, vortec fan, carbon scrubbers, etc....

all equipment clean, and no weed or seeds of course...just the gear.

i can have my seeds mailed to me once back there, but it would be a pain to have my gear mailed to me.

any thoughts?

 

[SouthernGuerila]

Everything has a uses other than that of indoor cannabis cultivation.
I'm sure quite a few people in AK have indoor grow lights, for veggies...

There should not be any problems, long as you do not state that they are for cannabis cultivation.

 

[Pops]

In my entire 64 years of life, I have never known anyone who has ever used that type of equipment for anything other than growing cannabis. You cannot economically grow veggies using indoor grows. You can economically grow veggies in hydro in a greenhouse.

If I were transporting these things, I would have them all packaged in boxes with no label that hid the contents and were dispersed in other household items. Grow equipment,itself, is not illegal. However, the government has a way of charging folks for paraphernalia and getting away with it. If they consider scales and baggies to be paraphernalia, they would certainly consider grow lights to be the same. I doubt that LEO would inspect every item if you had a large truck carrying household items during a move. They would, however, run a dog around the truck and possibly even turn the dog loose in the back of he truck. If the dog hits once, they will tear apart every box to inspect contents. Can you absolutely say that none of your equipment has any cannabis odor attached to it? You don't really have to fear the 2 legged cops, it is the 4 legged ones you have to worry about. It would help if you had your dogs with you, as they distract a drug dog from doing his work.(cats are great too...it is the only use I have ever found for a cat)

 

[NOKUY]

the last time i drove back thru canada from alaska and crossed into the lower 48 i was at the border for 3 hours w/ our "guard dog".

they seperated us from the truck that was packed up tight....they ran their dogs around then pulled it into a garage and x-rayed the whole thing....they even told me where my rifles were that i declared.

i can pack the gear up in common boxes, but am still wondering if its gonna raise "red flags" and unwanted questions if they come across it.....i also want it to be like it doesnt matter if they know about it because i dont wanna be paranoid about it.

 

[RudolfTheRed]

i wouldn't worry about it to much. its not like having the actual gear is illegal. its growing marijuana that is. i would tell them that since i live in Alaska I use the lights to grow my own vegetables. I might even store some tomato, strawberry, squash seeds or something with the lights just so your story sticks. believe it or not quite a few grow vegetables this way. my boss was telling me about how his brother-in-law grows all his vegetables hydroponically in his home.

 

[NOKUY]

RTR...good advice bro!

i'm currently doin my last grow down here, then gonna bounce by late june. (most of the rest of my life is already packed)

 

[Yes4Prop215]

i wouldn't worry about it to much. its not like having the actual gear is illegal. its growing marijuana that is. i would tell them that since i live in Alaska I use the lights to grow my own vegetables. I might even store some tomato, strawberry, squash seeds or something with the lights just so your story sticks. believe it or not quite a few grow vegetables this way. my boss was telling me about how his brother-in-law grows all his vegetables hydroponically in his home.

good idea, just grab a few packets of seeds for vegetables, makes your story more credible.

 

[GrüneErd]

believe it or not quite a few grow vegetables this way. my boss was telling me about how his brother-in-law grows all his vegetables hydroponically in his home.

sounds like the boss/brother in law grows ganj and the vegetables are a cover-up!
nah, but really, people will make whatever assumptions they will (in this case i'd bet 9 out of 10 border guards will assume your equipment is for growing pot, they're LEO, why wouldnt they) and there's nothing you can do but assume they'll assume as such (ha! sorry for the repetition).

the question is do you feel safe at a legal junction knowing everyone that has the power to take away your freedom may assume that there's reason to?
if you feel you can remain calm, go for it.
peace

 

[PermaBuzz]

disassemble the equipment as much as possible without ruining it and then mix it in with your other junk. an aquarium is great cover.
remove all traces of odor with ozone or fresh air.
bulbs, hoods, and rockwool are the real giveaways - leave those behind, maybe mail it over later.

 

[B.Grant]

NOKUY - Look, bottom-line, dogs can smell things that we can't even dream of. What we think masks odors, does nothing for a dog because dogs do not smell that way. So, I totally agree with breaking it down, thorough cleaning, vegetable seeds, and even some samples in the truck of some organic vegetables you had grown would be great (whether or not you had really grown them). Also, consider a cat or kitten in the vehicle, this drives dogs (ALL dogs, mind you) freakin' nuts! And finally, meat, and lots of it: burgers, sausage, whatever. Dogs will hit, or alert, on meat! And with this many false alerts (the cat, the meats, the Doggie Treats (for your dog, of course), and by this time, the residual smell of marijuana that might be on your equipment that you use to grow vegetables "wink, wink"), with this many false alerts, they will let you pass, and just be pissed at the dog for wasting their time.

Good luck...

 

[thc43]

take a plane and have the car filled with gear put in a boxed train. ok if its one way but too expensive if you travel back and forth.


otherwise sell it and buy new just keep ballasts/ fan.

 

[habeeb]

I have to say all the people stating for veggies is bullshit. they know what its used for. they can put 2 and 2 together. they might be dumb, but come on

you might get put on some list from it. if there is dogs they will smell the fan / charcoal filter / grow tent / equipment.... and if there is dogs an they detect I'm sure your gonna be in for something when they pull out your equipment. plus they love to bust people, why else would they be working there job.

is your equipment worth feeling like you could compromise your security?

if I were you, I would send all stuff that is reasonable for shipping price, dump the carbon from the scrubber and it's really light then. plus you will be able to get new goodies if you stuff is old.

 

[Maj.PotHead]

I have to say all the people stating for veggies is bullshit. they know what its used for. they can put 2 and 2 together. they might be dumb, but come on

you might get put on some list from it. if there is dogs they will smell the fan / charcoal filter / grow tent / equipment.... and if there is dogs an they detect I'm sure your gonna be in for something when they pull out your equipment. plus they love to bust people, why else would they be working there job.

is your equipment worth feeling like you could compromise your security?

if I were you, I would send all stuff that is reasonable for shipping price, dump the carbon from the scrubber and it's really light then. plus you will be able to get new goodies if you stuff is old.

{I have to say all the people stating for veggies is bullshit.}

Hum guess my friend Mr.R growing all his veggies and few plants under the lights full of it also eh. my friend Mr.R is a veegen and he flowers his plants in the back yd but grows his veggies indoors yr round.

nokuy brotha i would personally wash everything down thats been in your grow, lights ballasts hoods bulbs and such with rubbing alchol allow to evaporate then wash down again then pack in unmarked box. carbon scrubber well trash the current and buy a new 1 before leaving yes a dogs nose is powerful.
i got cought when i was a youngn in the army basic training with a oz 18 hrs later the dog allerted my jacket pocket the sac was in. when i left germany dog came out from behind a door duder pointed dog layed its head for a smell and dog n handler went back behind closed door.

 

[British_Bulldog]

Hi there,

I say it's a risky business if you have the car registered to your grow addy.

Obviously, that's either stupid or crazy, there's a fine line....lol

Back in the day, I drove to Holland (twice!) and filled the boot of a large family-sized car with equipment, because the price was much lower in Holland at the time! I drove over 3 borders too! - Belgium, France, and the worst - the UK!

I wasn't stopped and searched, fortunately, because UK customs are very strict compared to Europe (now 'borderless' anyway by road, but UK airports are also v.bad for security!), and although everything was legal in the car, it naturally raises questions.....as well as the fact that both times I had a house full of plants too...!!


So, I say when it's all thoroughly cleaned, have an at least half-plausible story for customs, and just stay cool.

Of course, I would definately recommend doing it in a friends car if possible, or a rental vehicle using another address.


Have a safe trip,

Peace

edited to add: the first time I did it, I had my girlfriend with me, who looks innocent, as do I! But the 2nd time I had a friend with me, who looks ok, but has a conviction for MJ in the past, so that was obviously a riskier trip! However, I didn't bring any nutrients, medium or plant-related the 2nd time, just lights and venting gear! (quite big stuff tho'!)