News
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2005
DEA
Seizes Approximately 800 Marijuana Plants, Weapons in
Sacramento
Raid
 |
800
marijuana plants like the one shown here were seized in the raid. |
The Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA), the Sacramento County Sheriff’s
Department, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and
the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of
California, announced today the arrest of one suspected drug trafficker
and the seizure of approximately 800 marijuana plants, one loaded handgun
and one loaded assault pistol.
This is the culmination of
a four-month investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the Sacramento District Attorney’s
Office. The investigation focused on violations of operating an unlicensed
business by Alternative Specialties, a marijuana distribution center,
located on Folsom Blvd., in Sacramento, CA. The business is operated
by Louis Wayne Fowler, 51, of Rio Linda, CA. Fowler had previously applied
for a business license in Sacramento County, but his request was denied
by local authorities.
On July 7, 2005, Sacramento
County Sheriff’s Detectives served
California State authorized search warrants at four locations in the
Sacramento area, including Alternative Specialties. At these locations
law enforcement discovered evidence of federal drug violations and DEA
was contacted to assist in the investigation. DEA subsequently served
two federal search warrants, where two indoor marijuana growing operations
were found and agents seized approximately 800 plants. DEA estimates
the value of these plants to be approximately $500,000.
As a result, Louis Wayne Fowler was arrested. At the time of his arrest
Fowler was in possession of one loaded handgun and one loaded assault
pistol. Fowler was booked into Sacramento County Jail on state charges
of felon in possession of a firearm.
DEA Assistant Special Agent
in Charge Gordon Taylor stated “This
case exemplifies what DEA continues to see in Northern California - drug
traffickers cultivating large amounts of marijuana and claiming ‘medicinal
marijuana,’ and in this instance the trafficker was armed with
two guns at the time of his arrest. The cultivation and distribution
of marijuana remains illegal under Federal Drug Statutes. DEA remains
committed to working with local law enforcement to protect and serve
the residents of this area.”
This case is being prosecuted
by the United States Attorney’s
Office, Eastern District of California. Fowler is charged with violation
of 21 U.S.C. Section 841 (a) 1 – manufacture of a controlled substance,
violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 924 – possession of a firearm in
furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and violation of 18 U.S.C. Section
922(g) - felon in possession of a firearm.
Defendants are
presumed innocent until and unless proven otherwise. For further information please contact DEA Special Agent Casey McEnry
at (415) 436-7994. |