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Some things are more entertaining than politics Former police officer Barry Cooper (author, "Never Get Busted Again") is so disgusted with the War on Drugs that he came up with an idea for a reality TV show called "Kop Busters." In a clever sting operation, police ended up raiding a house where nothing illegal was going on -- most likely because their illegal FLIR cameras detected indoor grow lights:

"KopBusters rented a house in Odessa, Texas and began growing two small Christmas trees under a grow light similar to those used for growing marijuana," claims a release from NeverGetBusted.com "When faced with a suspected marijuana grow, the police usually use illegal FLIR cameras and/or lie on the search warrant affidavit claiming they have probable cause to raid the house. Instead of conducting a proper investigation which usually leads to no probable cause, the Kops lie on the affidavit claiming a confidential informant saw the plants and/or the police could smell marijuana coming from the suspected house." "The trap was set and less than 24 hours later, the Odessa narcotics unit raided the house only to find KopBuster's attorney waiting under a system of complex gadgetry and spy cameras that streamed online to the KopBuster's secret mobile office nearby. "The attorney was handcuffed and later released when eleven KopBuster detectives arrived with the media in tow to question the illegal raid. The police refused to give KopBusters the search warrant affidavit which is suspected to contain the lies regarding the probable cause. "It is not illegal to grow plants under a light in your home but it is illegal to lie on an affidavit and plant drugs on a citizen. This operation was the first of its kind in the history of America. Police sometimes have other police investigating their crimes but the American court system has never dealt with a group of citizens stinging the police. Will the police file charges on the team who took down the corrupt cops? We will keep you posted." Here's the video: Here's the video: Cooper says that he targeted the Odessa police because marijuana was planted on a young woman which resulted in an eight year sentence: Cooper chose the Odessa police department for baiting because he believes police there instructed an informant to plant marijuana on a woman named Yolanda Madden. She's currently serving an eight-year sentence for possession with intent to distribute. According to Cooper, the informant actually admitted in federal court that he planted the marijuana. Madden was convicted anyway. Video here: I wish Cooper had made more of these videos, but he seems to be busy running for Attorney General on the Libertarian ticket. More power to him, and may he fight the good fight, etc. I hate to sound cynical, but history shows that Libertarian Party candidates don't win. However, it's nice to know that people who don't like police tactics in the drug war at least have an outlet, because they're not going to find it in either of the two major parties. For reasons that are not entirely clear to me, the drug war seems to have been ruled off limits for discussion by mutual agreement of both parties. What I think would be truly inspiring would be for Cooper's Republican opponent Ted Cruz (praised by NRO's Jay Nordlinger as well as Eugene Volokh) to join Cooper in denouncing the war on drugs. I say this not in any way as criticism of Cruz, who is obviously a fine man, and for whom I would have no trouble voting if I lived in Texas. The war on drugs is so institutionalized and ingrained in both parties that it's just part of the way the system works. As un-budgeable as big government itself. Voting does not change these things. Any real change in policy cannot come from the top, but has to come from below, in the form of people getting outraged. I think Cooper could accomplish more by going back to making these sting videos than he ever could by running as a Libertarian. Never mind the fact that polls show more public support for marijuana legalization -- and against cruel mandatory minimum sentencing laws -- than for gay marriage. Polls, platforms, facts and figures don't work nearly as well as seeing a video showing people something that could actually happen to them. posted by Eric on 10.14.09 at 11:03 AM



















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