Post-bust growing. Yes or No?

[fuzzymuffin]

OK, say your room gets raided and you're busted.

Is that the end of your growing career? Would you consider yourself marked for life and 'hot' and so it's not worth it, or would you eventually grow again?

That depends on how I got busted and the particulars of my grow, I guess. If it was an incidental discovery and I was just growing a couple plants for personal use, I'd chock it up to just bad luck and probably try again later. If I was raided and my plants were seized, I don't know if I'd try again.

If you would decide to take the risk and grow again, what kind of protocol would you follow? How long would you wait?

Again, that would depend on how/why I was caught in the first place, the scope of my grow as well as the conditions of the sentence.

What if it was your friend who got busted? Would you play it safe and never talk to them again, or would you wait for a certain period of time before you consider it safe to talk to them again? Is it worth it? A friend is a friend but at the same time heat is heat. When does it cool off, or does it ever?

I wouldn't cut ties with a friend just for that. An acquaintance, sure, but not not a friend. Friends don't sell each other off over shit like that. It might make me a little paranoid over my own grow (perhaps enough to ditch it) but I wouldn't sail a friend just because he got busted.

Is a person who gets busted 'marked for life'?

No.

 

[thatgreenstuff]

DiiZZii3- Most people in our circle are avoiding him like the plague, and he understands that. I have talked to this person since but still I'm paranoid, so no phone contact, and we don't hang as much. This happened only a month ago, and they are thinking of getting started again, and I don't know if that is something I should worry about or not. It is a friend, but at the same time I don't want to be on the radar. It wasn't a huge bust but more than a closet grow.

So he got busted a month ago and hes already out and cleared? How many plants are we talking? not huge but more then a closet so im guessing around 50 or so?

 

[Duckslayer]

I got busted in 2003 in a very mj unfriendly state. I had no prior criminal record. I was busted with 68 plants and around a half pound of ready to smoke herb. I had a couple of things that helped me tremendously when it came time for them to decide what to charge me with. I had no guns, no scales, no baggies of any size, and no cash in the house. My smoke was in jars. Because I had none of these things, and believe me they turned the place upside down looking for them, they only charged me with manufacturing marijuana. If they had had the goods to tack on with intent to distribute I would have been in a world of hurt. As it was, in that state it was a felony that carried a possible ten year prison sentence and a hefty fine. I truly thought I was fucked. This was in a medium sized town and the local press made a HUGE deal out of it.
The funny thing is the cops didn't immediately take me into custody which I will never understand. They showed up at my door with a warrant at about 8 am. The lead detective gave me his card and told me to leave and that I could return to my home at 5 pm. He told me to call him when I got home. I left, I returned, I called him. He told me to turn my self in the following morning. Very strange shit. The next morning as I was headed to the police station I was bracing myself for a lot of questions, figuring that they would try to get me to give someone else up to make things easier on me. It never happened. They simply booked me in and told me that I would go to my bond hearing the next day. Not at all what I expected. When it was all said and done I got a 10 year suspended sentence and 3 years probation. In that state that meant that if you violate your probation for any reason you go straight to the pen for a dime. Needless to say, I was a straight arrow for three years. But I did celebrate my release from probation with a fatty. It took me two more years to get back into growing. But I moved not only out of that town, but out of that state before doing so. But I must say that the entire time that I was on probation and the short period that I was in that town afterward that I was never harassed by the cops nor did I ever have the sense that they were watching me. Hell they didn't have to while I was on probation. I had to go to them once a month and pee in a cup.
My friends never avoided me, but to be honest there were only two friends that had any reason to worry about the cops showing up at their door. One guy was a fellow grower, and the other was the guy that sold my excess for me. Even while I was awaiting trial they never avoided me. They knew I was no snitch.
Oh, and before anyone asks how I got busted I'll tell. I lived with a woman for over ten years who was knee deep into growing with me. Things went bad between us and she moved out. I shut down my grow for a few months just to make sure there weren't going to be any problems with our break-up. She waited almost a year after moving out before calling the cops. I know it was her only because she called me and told me she did it. What a B***h.

 

[darby crash]

What if it was your friend who got busted? Would you play it safe and never talk to them again, or would you wait for a certain period of time before you consider it safe to talk to them again? Is it worth it? A friend is a friend but at the same time heat is heat. When does it cool off, or does it ever?

It sounds like you dont trust this guy. If that's the case then why let him in on your dirty little secrets?

 

[OsWiZzLe]

loose lips sink ships

 

[johnnyjae]

I wouldnt stop growing for the life of me....

 

[rambo6372]

I got busted in 2003 in a very mj unfriendly state. I had no prior criminal record. I was busted with 68 plants and around a half pound of ready to smoke herb. I had a couple of things that helped me tremendously when it came time for them to decide what to charge me with. I had no guns, no scales, no baggies of any size, and no cash in the house. My smoke was in jars. Because I had none of these things, and believe me they turned the place upside down looking for them, they only charged me with manufacturing marijuana. If they had had the goods to tack on with intent to distribute I would have been in a world of hurt. As it was, in that state it was a felony that carried a possible ten year prison sentence and a hefty fine. I truly thought I was fucked. This was in a medium sized town and the local press made a HUGE deal out of it.
The funny thing is the cops didn't immediately take me into custody which I will never understand. They showed up at my door with a warrant at about 8 am. The lead detective gave me his card and told me to leave and that I could return to my home at 5 pm. He told me to call him when I got home. I left, I returned, I called him. He told me to turn my self in the following morning. Very strange shit. The next morning as I was headed to the police station I was bracing myself for a lot of questions, figuring that they would try to get me to give someone else up to make things easier on me. It never happened. They simply booked me in and told me that I would go to my bond hearing the next day. Not at all what I expected. When it was all said and done I got a 10 year suspended sentence and 3 years probation. In that state that meant that if you violate your probation for any reason you go straight to the pen for a dime. Needless to say, I was a straight arrow for three years. But I did celebrate my release from probation with a fatty. It took me two more years to get back into growing. But I moved not only out of that town, but out of that state before doing so. But I must say that the entire time that I was on probation and the short period that I was in that town afterward that I was never harassed by the cops nor did I ever have the sense that they were watching me. Hell they didn't have to while I was on probation. I had to go to them once a month and pee in a cup.
My friends never avoided me, but to be honest there were only two friends that had any reason to worry about the cops showing up at their door. One guy was a fellow grower, and the other was the guy that sold my excess for me. Even while I was awaiting trial they never avoided me. They knew I was no snitch.
Oh, and before anyone asks how I got busted I'll tell. I lived with a woman for over ten years who was knee deep into growing with me. Things went bad between us and she moved out. I shut down my grow for a few months just to make sure there weren't going to be any problems with our break-up. She waited almost a year after moving out before calling the cops. I know it was her only because she called me and told me she did it. What a B***h.

Great story, I love reading these kinds of stories so that I dont make those mistakes myself. Live and you learn.

 

[Dubya]

But what are the chances that they are keeping track of where you live and any electricity bills that may be in your name?

 

[thingshappening]

The way the game is played in our country, you might have to just to survive. Bad economy+felony=good luck jack.

 

[BrnCow]

No matter what...move ...figure out how you got hot and change your actions to be more secure...relationships and grows don't mix well...beware of being followed to your friends houses...if they start getting busted - stay home/stay away...make the block before you stop at people's places....

 

[WaywardBob]

i might stop growing indoors if i got busted but if you have friends with property you can rent, go off the grid. i would feel totally fine about that. plus you can always go outdoor.

 

[Dubya]

I'm going to ask again. Who thinks that DEA keeps tabs on people they have busted?

Meaning, are they watching where you move to? Are they watching your electricity bill?

Do they even have the right to do so after the case has gone to court?

It would be easy enough to do, but can they, and more importantly, DO they do that?

 

[Dubya]

i might stop growing indoors if i got busted but if you have friends with property you can rent, go off the grid. i would feel totally fine about that. plus you can always go outdoor.

Great thoughts. Outdoors is always a good idea. Should be something to know how to do anyway.

How about renting a place but having the electric bill in someone else's name?

Could be a friend who is not involved. That would help bring you under the radar.

 

[jescowhite]

I'm going to ask again. Who thinks that DEA keeps tabs on people they have busted?
It would be easy enough to do, but can they, and more importantly, DO they do that?

From experience, I'd say no. Enough people are fucking up everyday to keep them busy. They seem to operate on the 'catch-an-release' philosophy.

 

[walt cunningham]

the dea doesnt even get involved in most busts. usually its your local drug task force. you also have to consider MONEY being a huge factor. most departments in most areas are really struggling and cutting back. its one thing for them to maybe check up on you every so often, but wire taps or being followed is very expensive. im not saying they wont do it, it depends how you get busted. if there is really nobody else involved with your grow besides buyers, they dont care about you and wont waste any more time on you unless its big and o money was found. instead, they will just wait for you to fuck up again. If its a BIG grow, and you are the only one that got caught, but are a low level worker, then i would expect phone tap.
i think most of the people on here, besides a small handful, would not be watched after a bust.
if you live in a very small town, and everyone knows about the bust, thats another story.

where i live, after i got busted i became very paranoid, thinking phone could be tapped, house could be bugged, house being watched...yadda yadda. one month passed, thats about how long it took, and i realized none of that was happening. the thing that still gets my heart going is when i am driving. im usually 99% legal, i rarely drive and carry, but i still get concerned if a cop is behind me, because if they see cultivation charges, im sure their eyes light up

 

[mdk ktm]

I got busted in 2003 in a very mj unfriendly state. I had no prior criminal record. I was busted with 68 plants and around a half pound of ready to smoke herb. I had a couple of things that helped me tremendously when it came time for them to decide what to charge me with. I had no guns, no scales, no baggies of any size, and no cash in the house. My smoke was in jars. Because I had none of these things, and believe me they turned the place upside down looking for them, they only charged me with manufacturing marijuana. If they had had the goods to tack on with intent to distribute I would have been in a world of hurt. As it was, in that state it was a felony that carried a possible ten year prison sentence and a hefty fine. I truly thought I was fucked. This was in a medium sized town and the local press made a HUGE deal out of it.
The funny thing is the cops didn't immediately take me into custody which I will never understand. They showed up at my door with a warrant at about 8 am. The lead detective gave me his card and told me to leave and that I could return to my home at 5 pm. He told me to call him when I got home. I left, I returned, I called him. He told me to turn my self in the following morning. Very strange shit. The next morning as I was headed to the police station I was bracing myself for a lot of questions, figuring that they would try to get me to give someone else up to make things easier on me. It never happened. They simply booked me in and told me that I would go to my bond hearing the next day. Not at all what I expected. When it was all said and done I got a 10 year suspended sentence and 3 years probation. In that state that meant that if you violate your probation for any reason you go straight to the pen for a dime. Needless to say, I was a straight arrow for three years. But I did celebrate my release from probation with a fatty. It took me two more years to get back into growing. But I moved not only out of that town, but out of that state before doing so. But I must say that the entire time that I was on probation and the short period that I was in that town afterward that I was never harassed by the cops nor did I ever have the sense that they were watching me. Hell they didn't have to while I was on probation. I had to go to them once a month and pee in a cup.
My friends never avoided me, but to be honest there were only two friends that had any reason to worry about the cops showing up at their door. One guy was a fellow grower, and the other was the guy that sold my excess for me. Even while I was awaiting trial they never avoided me. They knew I was no snitch.
Oh, and before anyone asks how I got busted I'll tell. I lived with a woman for over ten years who was knee deep into growing with me. Things went bad between us and she moved out. I shut down my grow for a few months just to make sure there weren't going to be any problems with our break-up. She waited almost a year after moving out before calling the cops. I know it was her only because she called me and told me she did it. What a B***h.

Dude.... Same exact situation here a couple months ago. We even have the exact woman situation and Just about the same exact plant count at a place too, and they fuckin never took me anywhere or gave me anything. All I had at the house was a grow and all the equipment. I don't think they have any evidence of selling or anything, and the dude found my stack of spare cash and left it at the house.... I hav'nt heard a damn word from them, and I want to start up again since I still have a bunch of equipment, seeds and an empty house with 6 months left on a lease.

My gut tells me to just wait and see what happens so I dont get a second offense, and get the possible 10 years i'm facing. Just the worst feeling in the world walking into a house that is now empty because of a pissed off ex-gf. She has never even been to the house.. It feels like I got robbed because they were all plain clothes and they just jacked all my shit. It just fucking sucks.... Hopefully I'm not in jail for the outdoor season, they cant raid me outside those curly headed fucks.

 

[Dubya]

the dea doesnt even get involved in most busts. usually its your local drug task force. you also have to consider MONEY being a huge factor. most departments in most areas are really struggling and cutting back. its one thing for them to maybe check up on you every so often, but wire taps or being followed is very expensive. im not saying they wont do it, it depends how you get busted. if there is really nobody else involved with your grow besides buyers, they dont care about you and wont waste any more time on you unless its big and o money was found. instead, they will just wait for you to fuck up again. If its a BIG grow, and you are the only one that got caught, but are a low level worker, then i would expect phone tap.
i think most of the people on here, besides a small handful, would not be watched after a bust.
if you live in a very small town, and everyone knows about the bust, thats another story.

where i live, after i got busted i became very paranoid, thinking phone could be tapped, house could be bugged, house being watched...yadda yadda. one month passed, thats about how long it took, and i realized none of that was happening. the thing that still gets my heart going is when i am driving. im usually 99% legal, i rarely drive and carry, but i still get concerned if a cop is behind me, because if they see cultivation charges, im sure their eyes light up

Well that's good you drive and carry very rarely. Even if they saw cultivation charges there's nothing they can do if you got nothing on you.

Does that even come up if they run your plates? I thought they can only do a background check if they pull you over and get your license #

 

[Dubya]

the dea doesnt even get involved in most busts. usually its your local drug task force. you also have to consider MONEY being a huge factor. most departments in most areas are really struggling and cutting back. its one thing for them to maybe check up on you every so often, but wire taps or being followed is very expensive. im not saying they wont do it, it depends how you get busted. if there is really nobody else involved with your grow besides buyers, they dont care about you and wont waste any more time on you unless its big and o money was found. instead, they will just wait for you to fuck up again. If its a BIG grow, and you are the only one that got caught, but are a low level worker, then i would expect phone tap.
i think most of the people on here, besides a small handful, would not be watched after a bust.
if you live in a very small town, and everyone knows about the bust, thats another story.

where i live, after i got busted i became very paranoid, thinking phone could be tapped, house could be bugged, house being watched...yadda yadda. one month passed, thats about how long it took, and i realized none of that was happening. the thing that still gets my heart going is when i am driving. im usually 99% legal, i rarely drive and carry, but i still get concerned if a cop is behind me, because if they see cultivation charges, im sure their eyes light up

This was DEA. Although I was told it was much smaller than they originally thought.

That's true I'm sure it costs a lot to keep an eye on someone. I don't think they'd be doing surveillance it's more the checking up now and again. But even if you had a bit larger than average electric bill they'd still have to build a whole new case and have enough to get a new warrant to come in to your place. I guess as long as there is no other loose ends it prob would work out.

 

[feral]

If you have to ask if your ready, then your not ready.
Go with your gut feeling. NOT what you want to feel, but what you ACTUALLY feel. If your not ready, then step back. If you feel uneasy, DEF. step back!!
And live/grow by the #1 rule.....NO ONE KNOWS NOTHING.

Also; Room got raided? Dude I hope your not some college kid whose growing in his dorm room. If so, you need to stop. Get that paper first, and if you have to grow get it the f&^% off campus. A lot of jurisdictions have enhanced penalties for growing/selling drugs within a certain amount of yards of a school facility and many include Colleges as well.
Stay safe.

 

[rick shaw]

I'm going to ask again. Who thinks that DEA keeps tabs on people they have busted?

Meaning, are they watching where you move to? Are they watching your electricity bill?

Do they even have the right to do so after the case has gone to court?

It would be easy enough to do, but can they, and more importantly, DO they do that?

If you wear a double-layer tin foil hat you should be safe. I think your confusing registered sex offender with convicted felon. There is no tracking anklet,when you complete parole they retire your number,period. Few people are legendary enough to keep tabs on,you never will be.lol