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Shooting in South AnchorageGun shot victim brings marijuana grow operation to lightAfter responding to a gunshot victim at a South Anchorage gas station early Monday morning, Anchorage police say they stumbled across something else – a commercial marijuana grow operation. Mark Purcella, 42, told police he had let his dog out the back door of his home, on the 800 block of Center Street, when he was shot in the back by an unknown attacker. His roommate, Michael Hedgepeth, drove him to the Chevron gas station at the intersection of Lake Otis Parkway and Abbott Road. Police said they detained Hedgepeth for questioning, and then began to search the Center Street residence for evidence of the assault. Instead, they found an advanced irrigation system, lights, heaters and dozens of marijuana plants. Lt. Dave Parker, a spokesman for the Anchorage Police Department, said it’s not a surprising scene. "Statistically, we find that marijuana is involved in assaults, serious assaults and homicides more than any other drug here in Anchorage,” Parker said. Anchorage Police uncover “dozens and dozens” of commercial grow operations every year. Alaska State Trooper drug enforcement officers said they uncovered 75 grow operations in 2010. "We're not talking a small amount of marijuana here, we're talking a commercial grower, that's in business, that's making money cultivating marijuana,” said AST Lt. Christopher Thompson. Police said it all comes down to dollars and cents. “There are a lot of people who do make a living, and make pretty good money in the State of Alaska, growing marijuana,” Parker said A single plant can net upwards of $20,000 a year, and Thompson said troopers seized more than 1,300 plants in two separate busts in the Mat-Su Valley last week alone. In more remote areas of the state, he said the drug could bring in five times as much, selling for roughly $50 per gram. “Unfortunately, people make a lot of money selling it,” Parker said. “Because of that, they become targets." It’s money that comes as a steep price.
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Anonymous said on Friday, Feb 3 at 11:34 PM
This is unfounded. How can the news not challenge this police officer’s false claim. The fact is there are various gang members having shoot outs on a regular basis and its over Cocaine, Crack and Meth. The claim that Marijuana contributes to violence more than any of the claim was different on TV than here. Wake up Copper. You are not only making yourself look bad but the whole force. This claim is so far off it makes it hard to believe anything the APD has to report. Additionally, saying that one plant can produce 20,000$ in one year is just another false claim. Does this man know it is not illegal to own a marijuana plant in Alaska? Further more, he should make sure his story is consistent.
80871807truth.org said on Friday, Feb 3 at 11:27 PM
This is unfounded. How can th news not challenge this poice officer,s false claim. The fact is there are various gang members having shoot outs on a regular basis and its ove Cocain,Crack and Meth. The claim that Marijuana contributes to violence more than any otthe claim was different on TV than here. Wake up Copper. You are not only making yourself look bad but the whole force. Way to go.her drug is so far off it makes it hard to believe anything the APD has to report. Additionally, saying that one plant can produce 20,000$ in one year is just another false claim. Does this man know it is not illeagle to own a marajuana plant in Alaska?Further more he should make sure his story is consistant considerin
80871729JUSTICE said on Thursday, Jan 26 at 2:13 PM
Gee thanks for advertising the fact one single plant can net up to $20,000 a year.Watch the stampede on products for growing.Telling the news they can make alot of money is JUST STUPID!
80463757Anonymous said on Tuesday, Jan 24 at 11:01 AM
marijuana involed with assaults more than any other drug. were did this cop get his false info and why is he lieing on tv i guese lieing is there job!!
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