Security Question for those in the know

[greentrich]

Ok....I'm a bit paranoid here, maybe too much, maybe not enough. Which is why I'm here asking.

Here's my situation....I bought the majority of my equip with a debit card: a grow tent that measures 2x2x4 through an online retailer not in the U.S. Then, if that wasn't dumb enough...I purchased my 250w ballast, lights(250 MH and a 250 HPS), reflector, exhaust fan, growing medium, and pots from a local hydro store WITH the same card: paid for half, live in girlfriend paid the other half.

This is obviously a small grow, but a grow regardless. This grow is setup in a detached structure from my house that has a wall a/c unit. Since it gets brutally hot in the summer here, the a/c has obviously been running...jacking my elect. bill up about 50 to 60 bucks extra a month compared to last years usage when I was not growing. The only people that know about this is my g/f who I'm not too afraid since she paid for some of the gear as well, and my best friend who is also growing. So I'm not too worried about snitches.

I have one grow under my belt, and am in the early stages of a second one at about three plants per grow. This is obviously just for personal use.

What I AM worried about is the elect. bill and the poor decision to purchase the gear the way we did. Does anyone know if I have cause to be concerned. I'm uber paranoid the more I think about it. I don't have a lot of traffic at my house, or any other reason to raise public suspicion. I haven't noticed anyone "watching" me or following me. But from what I've read, "their" presence isn't usually known until you're face down on the lawn. I am not in an MMJ state, so this obviously wouldn't be kosher with the local authorities.

Does anything think or know if I have reason to be concerned??

I'm so paranoid right now I'm about to flush the young ones and stick a couple potted strawberry plants in the tent. My concern may sound trivial and/or inane to some on here, but I'm really regretting the way I went about the acquisition of the gear. The whole time I'm thinking...."will they really come after someone for a couple plants?!?!". Well short answer is YES, at least from what I've read on this and a couple other forums. ESPECIALLY with the way the economy is, I'm sure local leo's are looking for anyway for their system to make money, even if it means busting a small grow.

I don't know, sometimes I over think things. I hope I'm over thinking this one.

Any insight from anyone??
If anyone has any words of wisdom, it would be greatly appreciated. Even if it's the "It's your fault, don't buy shit with a card" reply...anything would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

 

[MMAJAY]

Don't sweat it but be very careful in the future. I wont be a critic of you but you need to pay cash. Go to atm and get cash. Your small purchase will not draw law enforcement unless someone rats you out. Best thing you can do is don't tell a mother fucking sole what your doing and you should be fine.

 

[etinarcadiaego]

. Best thing you can do is don't tell a mother fucking sole what your doing and you should be fine.

 

[MrBomDiggitty]

if your friend gets busted and they ask him "who else do you know that grows bud?" you are in trouble. if they need a warrant they can get one easy because you have a history of buying products to grow plants indoors.

if they are tipped off in any other way and stumble across this little jewel of info, they can easily get all doors opened.

if they aren't tipped off in any kind of way, dont trip

 

[Brother Bear]

Best thing you can do is don't tell a mother fucking sole what your doing and you should be fine.

 

[greentrich]

Thanks everyone. Ya I haven't told anyone, and nor will I.

This shit pisses me off. I am afraid to grow a plant...how fuct is that? Being afraid of a law that is only being held in place right now because of inertia and primitive biased data, and that was mainly put in place because of racism. Now being upheld and laughed at by a half black president. I know he's a puppet and really doesn't have much power, but he has a whole hell of a lot more pull than me. I'm not hurting a soul, not even myself. I damage myself and those around me more with my cigarette smoking than I do anything else. Yet this plant is illegal!!!
Fuck me, now I'm all worked up. Sorry for the rant everyone, haven't smoked yet today and this shit severely gets to me.

Thanks for everyone's insight.

 

[good drown]

also keep in mind you said its a detached structure.
i know there is something about that maybe others can elaborate on. i think they dont need a warrant for it, or soemthing along those lines
the out of country purchase is most likely ok. the hydro store ones, well i would think only if they get raided.
i wonder how this works and how often cops go there and ask for peoples info that paid by credit.
the stuff is legal, so i would imagine you are fine until some says something. your power bill isnt a big deal, ours went up almost 50% from last year because of taxes and stuff. if yours was double your neighbors, thats a no good.
hopefully you cant tell your shed or whatever has a a/c running, thats kinda hot

 

[greentrich]

good point Good Drown. I never though of that, I'll have to look into the detached structure thing in my local laws. Shit I don't even know where to start with that one. It is detached, but still on my property.

The structure was built by the previous owner, and it's built better than the house. However...I also play music in there and it doubles as my recording studio, so having the a/c on is quite reasonable with all the instruments in there...I would think.

I even went to my closest neighbor to ask him if the noise was ever a problem, and he said "no way....do your thing man!" So they SEEM cool. If he were to walk in his back yard, he would be able to hear the a/c if he was listening for it...but they're never out there. They're more recluse than I am...maybe they have a grow room too!! LOL

As far as the a/c being hot...that sort of concerns me too. It does back up to a main street though (about 15' away), and is well below the line of sight of my back wall. It is also covered by trees. So I'm not thinking FLIR would really be an issue for a drive by, only for a copter. Then again..."not thinking" is what got me paranoid in the first place.

Ya the local utility company did raise their rates this year (during the summer no less), so I'm sure that attributed to the higher bill.

Thanks for reading and replying everyone!

 

[good drown]

how big is that structure?
i was just thinking a lil 4x4. if its as big it seems and you play music in there, well ac shant be a problem i would think

 

[greentrich]

12'x17'...very well insulated, and a nice sized attic. Minus the fact it doesn't have any running water, it would make a good studio apt. for someone. Or a recording studio for me .

 

[good drown]

sounds awesome. does it have a good sturdy door and lock?
i'd also get a motion detector light for night time. other than that jam on, just not with others there though. can you see the tent when you walk in? if so maybe you should try to make it so you cant. that way upon entrance, its all your audio shit in sight. you can always say the ac is for dehumidifying purposes, as that stuff can be effected by it

 

[FrankRizzo]

Go buy some seeds, house plants and other legal things that can be grown. At least that way it may look like you're growing some veggies or something.

 

[greentrich]

Go buy some seeds, house plants and other legal things that can be grown. At least that way it may look like you're growing some veggies or something.

Awesome suggestion. I'm way ahead of ya Frank! Great minds think alike I guess LOL. A couple weeks ago I bought some already established fruit plants with cash at a nursery. Then went to the hydro shop and bought some seeds and some germ cubes with my card. So...at a moments notice I can ditch the girls and substitute them with whatever I want.
Thanks!

I like this site. Good help without the bashing. All though a I think I deserve a good bashing for pulling some of this off in a very stupid manner.

Thanks everyone.

 

[john cutter]

honestly man, your biggest mistake is the live in girlfriend being involved...

 

[greentrich]

honestly man, your biggest mistake is the live in girlfriend being involved...

Typically that would be the case. But considering there are some other details not outlined here....she's the least of my worries. Besides, we'll be married in a few months. After that it's both our asses.
Thanks though, good thoughts.