Police came to door, should be worried?

[dimyself]

So, about 1 week ago (last fri or sat), i was just finished trimming my harvest and cops came knocking on my door (didnt use door bell), and i was walking past a window and they shined a spotlight from the car into my window on me. and then like a dumbass...i answered. I didn't read this security section until after that. i had accidentally left my garage open while taking trash out. He said "it's not my business but we were investigating something next door and saw your garage open for awhile. You might want to close your garage." And then he walked away around house back to his car. He didnt ask anything or try to come in...

I know it smelled like weed inside my house, but not sure if he smelled anything... and if he did, maybe he just thought we were smoking weed and didnt think we would have been harvesting...

I mean if this was something to worry about, wouldnt they have busted down my door by now? It's been a full week nearly. I've been watching outside alot, and there's been no cops drive by...

Should I get rid of all my stuff or I'm cool? BTW, I'm in an illegal state. I just wonder if they were investigating my house or if it was by chance they came?

I know no one talked, if they know......it would be because of smell...possibly a neighbor tipping them off? But I don't think it smelled too much during harvest because it only smelled inside house and around my front door. It didn't smell at the neighbors or at the street (that I know of).

 

[alphawolf.hack]

had a similar exp. imo they are letting you know that they know. just step carefully from here on out after the cop stopped at my door to ask about an alarm that did not exist then left right after(didnt even ask the neighbors if it was thier alarm!). i have 2 filters so there is no smell but i know they can smell the smoke. i have just downgraded and took all my trash/evidence out discreetly so if i get caught all i have is whats in my room. i dont know how big your grow is but it might be time to step down

 

[alphawolf.hack]

not quit, just step it down a notch.

 

[dimyself]

All I have is a flower room, and a veg room. My flower room is empty now (just harvested), and veg room has 5 plants about 1 month old. I pulled about 8oz from last harvest.

 

[dimyself]

had a similar exp. imo they are letting you know that they know. just step carefully from here on out after the cop stopped at my door to ask about an alarm that did not exist then left right after(didnt even ask the neighbors if it was thier alarm!). i have 2 filters so there is no smell but i know they can smell the smoke. i have just downgraded and took all my trash/evidence out discreetly so if i get caught all i have is whats in my room. i dont know how big your grow is but it might be time to step down

They are letting me know they know?? What do you mean? If they knew, wouldnt they have busted me by now? And how could they know I grow...? Maybe they know I smoke if they smelled weed when I answered door, but how could they know about grow? Unless there was more smell out to street than I thought?

What do you mean step it down? If you get caught, you're caught no matter how big right?

 

[curious2garden]

It all depends on the level of risk you feel comfortable with and how long a time you'd get for what they'd find. If you are married and have a family I'd get rid of it all. Usually police move much slower than they do in movies. If they don't act immediately they are often watching you to see who else they can net.

Me, I'd get rid of everything, but then I am extremely risk averse and came from a time when you could do time for paraphernalia alone.

 

[Fight411]

You can never be too safe.

 

[dimyself]

I'm in texas

 

[dimyself]

If they really knew, and had probable cause (smell), they wouldnt already be in my house?

I don't see how they can be watching... I have been walking my neighborhood since then and checking outside at all hours of night and there is nothing suspicious

 

[GrassCity Sucks]

How many plants you got? Like Wolf said, Start cutting back if you're paranoid bout it.

But, having said that, if they came a few days ago, and you haven't been busted yet, .. well even if THEY weren't able to arrest you, they woulda sent detectives or some other type cops out there to bring you in.

If it were me, I'd figure out whether I have what THEY consider a 'commercial' quantity, and if so, chop down enough plants to get it down to 'personal'.

Being charged for a 'commercial' quantity means MUUUUUCH heavier sentences, but regardless, BEFORE you get busted, you should read-up on legality in your area. Even if you never had the visit from the cops, you shou... Everyone should, check their local laws so they KNOW the depth of their illegal activities

If you found out that in your state, 12 plants is considered commercial, and the maximum sentence is 20 years in a cell, would you change your grow? Good to know that kinda stuff BEFORE you get busted, not just after

 

[mccumcumber]

They could know, but they need a warrant to get into your house. That process takes a few months, so I would say after your next harvest just sit on your buds for a while. If nothing happens in a month or two you're probably fine. But if they do come in all they can get your for is possession. Which I don't think is nearly as bad as growing in Texas.

 

[dimyself]

How many plants you got? Like Wolf said, Start cutting back if you're paranoid bout it.

But, having said that, if they came a few days ago, and you haven't been busted yet, .. well even if THEY weren't able to arrest you, they woulda sent detectives or some other type cops out there to bring you in.

If it were me, I'd figure out whether I have what THEY consider a 'commercial' quantity, and if so, chop down enough plants to get it down to 'personal'.

Being charged for a 'commercial' quantity means MUUUUUCH heavier sentences, but regardless, BEFORE you get busted, you should read-up on legality in your area. Even if you never had the visit from the cops, you shou... Everyone should, check their local laws so they KNOW the depth of their illegal activities

If you found out that in your state, 12 plants is considered commercial, and the maximum sentence is 20 years in a cell, would you change your grow? Good to know that kinda stuff BEFORE you get busted, not just after

Here is the penalty in my state for the amount I have:

"Criminal charges for marijuana cultivation can result in a state jail felony conviction if the alleged offender possessed five pounds or less of marijuana, but more than four ounces. This degree of offense can result in jail sentence ranging from 180 days to two years and/or a fine up to $10,000." tx info: http://www.mcconathylaw.com/CriminalDefense/MarijuanaOffenses/MarijuanaCultivation.aspx

 

[curious2garden]

If they really knew, and had probable cause (smell), they wouldnt already be in my house?

I don't see how they can be watching... I have been walking my neighborhood since then and checking outside at all hours of night and there is nothing suspicious

Not if they think you can lead them to bigger fish or capture other evidence they wait and watch. That's the point of surveillance you don't see it when it's done correctly. I would definitely have complete awareness of the law.

Look instead of asking us who are not aware of the local statutory law now is a good time to spend a couple hundred with the BEST criminal attorney in your area. Go and speak to him. If he's paid then every word you say is inviolate so be open and honest. Then follow what he tells you to do. Also get information on his fees and have that put back. If and when the cops come back the only thing you say (and say it extremely politely), "I want MY attorney, insert attorney's name here, and I waive no rights."

But the attorney will tell you precisely what to say if they return. So go consult with an attorney. That is the smartest thing you can do other than dismantling the grow.

 

[Milovan]

Sounds like it was not a big deal to the cops and
they just want you to keep it under wraps.

 

[dimyself]

What I was thinking is that they really did come to tell me garage was open, and then maybe they did, maybe they did not smell anything..... but if they smelled, maybe they thought I was just smoking some? I did take along time to answer door

I know that doesnt tell me one way or another, I'm just trying to work through this.

 

[dimyself]

They could know, but they need a warrant to get into your house. That process takes a few months, so I would say after your next harvest just sit on your buds for a while. If nothing happens in a month or two you're probably fine. But if they do come in all they can get your for is possession. Which I don't think is nearly as bad as growing in Texas.

If I do decide to stop, can I keep all my equipment (carbon filter, lights, etc) in the garage unused? Obviously they know what its for...but it's not illegal to own the equipment right? As long as there aren't marijuana plants under the lights... I do have other types of plants also I could put under the lights

 

[curious2garden]

They could know, but they need a warrant to get into your house. That process takes a few months, ....snip...

No getting a warrant does not take a few months. It takes a few minutes, M-F 8 am to 5 pm, and up to a few hours other times. Assuming you are in a city. A little longer in areas of lower population. Really go see a good criminal law attorney you can't go wrong. It's great insurance to have a contact like that in case.

Anyway good luck with this I hope it all works out well for you.

 

[dimyself]

No getting a warrant does not take a few months. It takes a few minutes, M-F 8 am to 5 pm, and up to a few hours other times. Assuming you are in a city. A little longer in areas of lower population. Really go see a good criminal law attorney you can't go wrong. It's great insurance to have a contact like that in case.

Anyway good luck with this I hope it all works out well for you.

A lawyer is a good idea... I will start searching.

Honestly, my gut tells me it really was coincidence adn they really were just trying to help... i just want to be paranoid and make sure. BUT...on the other hand, I DONT want to ditch my current veg plants...they are white fire seeds/plants!! dont want to throw away just based on paranoia Maybe I can move my stuff somewhere...

I think if they knew I was harvesting, they wouldve busted me by now, because thats when there is the highest weight... I have all my stuff in jars by now (weighs alot less), so they wouldnt get as much off me now. I know what you mean about police watching me, but i'm careful on the phone... and in my neighborhood I would recognize strange cars. It also wouldnt be easy for police to just hide around the neighbors house. And I never see any of my neighbors spying on me through windows or anything.

 

[SSHZ]

1. If you are in Texas, with their fucked up laws and sentencing guidelines- I'd shut down, clean the house out and give it a few months before starting up again. There have been numerous posts on here how harsh Texas can be on growers.

2. Most likely, they came to your house to see how you'd react, if they could see or smell anything, and observe what you do next. I wouldn't be surprised if your house is being watched, your mail is being read, your phone is being tapped and your neighbors are being questioned. Think about this: The cops telling you to close your garage"?????? Is this a joke or what? In 55 years I've never heard a more ridiculous story.

They are in no rush. They would much rather have you in a conspiracy with others, then in a single grower bust. They are probably checking your power usage, bank and charge card accounts, and watching your movements. I'm not trying to scare you but I've been thru this once before and have been thru everything I relayed to you. Better safe then sorry, especially in Texas.

 

[S4W2A0G]

i agree id stop for a minute there letting u know if course they smelld it u were trimming hell yea they smelled it unless u grow bamber they smelled it out side and knocked on ur door they havent raided yet because they like to build cases against people if u stop when they do raid as soon as they leave start it back up THEYKNOWTHEYKNOWTHEYKNOW