Here is a disturbing email I received from the NORML list serv. An Austin citizen is concerned about the police using electricity bills to justify home invasion searches. I’m trying to verify this story, until then here is the email.
I live in Austin Texas and the police have signed an agreement with the local utility company Austin Energy. They now have their own account login that they use without getting a subpoena. The narcotics department is using this to data mine the utility records for high utility usage. This in my opinion is a warrant less search. This is enough for them to get search warrants for those residents looking for marijuana indoor grows. They have performed dozens of raids based on this and are ramping up and expanding their task force due to the massive amounts of properties and $$$ seized in the raids. They are now getting the DEA involved which is splitting a slice of the pie because they have a lot less oversight and the overwhelming negative odds of winning at the Fed level.
Think the war on pot only affects cannabis consumers? When the police raid the wrong home, citizens die. When the police steal private property, freedom dies.
I think the market is missing an opportunity here. I want to open a line of “Freedom” businesses. For example, “Freedom Bank” would fight Patriot Act requests and make privacy a foundation of the institution. “Freedom Cell Phones” would also fight federal attempts to subpoena information. Or at least make those attempts public. “Freedom Electricity” would keep local law enforcement from looking at your light bill. It’s none of their business. Now I just need some investors….
Labels: Marijuana, Search Warrants, War On Drugs