Drivers face drug checkpoints on highways near Flint

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press

Drivers face drug checkpoints on highways near Flint
Oct. 21, 2011
BY BILL LAITNER
DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


Motorists driving on expressways around Flint are getting surprised by a stunning tactic that the Genesee County sheriff has been using to fight the flow of illegal drugs -- one that legal experts said will not withstand a court challenge.

At least seven times this month, including Tuesday, motorists have said they have seen a pickup towing a large sign on I-69 or U.S.-23 that depicts the sheriff's badge and warns: "Sheriff narcotics check point, 1 mile ahead -- drug dog in use."

The checkpoints are part of a broad sweep for drugs that Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell and his self-titled Sheriff's Posse said are needed, calling Flint a crossroads of drug dealing because nearly a half-dozen major roads and expressways pass in and around the city. Pickell said he decided to try checkpoints when he learned that drug shipments might be passing through Flint in tractor-trailers with false compartments.

-snip-

The practice has legal experts on searches and seizures at two law schools in Michigan, a constitutional law expert in Lansing and the American Civil Liberties Union calling the practice out of bounds and out of touch with state and U.S. Supreme Court rulings that ban such practices.


Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20111021/NEWS06/110210365/Drivers-face-drug-checkpoints-highways-near-Flint

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Gotta wonder how big a factor drug forfeiture laws are here.

[grasswire]

1. you mean the seizure of vehicles? n/t

[Demeter]

2. Without a good paper in the entire state, it is hard to know

whether drugs are an issue, whether Flint is a major drug center, or whether drug forfeiture laws are in play.

But I do know for a fact that the redneck part of Michigan, aided by an Ann Arbor vulture capitalist/Libertarian, is in ascendance once more, and even in the People's Republic of Ann Arbor, there are some really stupid, prejudiced people stomping on other people whenever possible.

[SoapBox]

3. LOLOL! I can only hope that my brother-in-law, the FuxNoose channel watching,

Obama hating, old white guy (living in Fenton, MI)...gets STOPPED!

THAT would be hilarious.

Of course, it WOULD be all Obama's fault.

[bongbong]

10. Meechigan

Fenton, a lovely place. My sister used to hang out with Grand Funk when they were just starting out (no, NOT as a groupie!!!)

[barbtries]

4. i would say huge.

dang.

[femrap]

5. Geez, isn't

Flint a city of nothing but poverty? That's where Michael Moore grew up. Kick them while they're down.

[Politicalboi]

6. Probably has a lot to do with

Medical Marijuana. We'll show those sick people a thing or two about using drugs and driving on the highways trying to get home to use their prescription.

[orbitalman]

7. Is this Nazi-Germany??????????....

No one should be driving impaired, BUT pulling over unimpaired drivers is outrageous. Put that sheriff & posse AWAY.

[Uncle Joe]

8. Not yet, but

the so called "War on Drugs" is pushing us in that direction.

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. Drug dogs aren't used to identify impairment.

They are looking for trafficking on their highway system.

Hence "false bottom"

[valerief]

9. Guess the sheriff wants to make sure he gets his cut on everything. nt

[Aaria]

12. jThey always have to see how far out of bounds they can go before someone slaps their hand.

[harvey007]

13. Another report

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/10/genesee_county_sheriff_robert_22.html

[DreamSmoker]

14. Sue their Asses off

This is really about finding Weed..
Its a Tactic to push the limits of law and get that Weed..
Its nothing new..
Here in California they are call DUI stops..
It is a Revenue Generator used by Local Police..
A recent law signed by California Governor Brown stopped the Police from taking your vehicle if stopped and a violation is discovered..
Also a new twist is that any one of these Police stops has to have a exit for driver before entering..
A way to avoid the stop if you choose..

I am afraid this is only the beginning of these tactics..
Just watch and see what happens to the Peoples Due Process of law rights.. They will be violated by a re interpretation of some law by LEOs..
Guaranteed...

[arbusto_baboso]

15. So I guess Probable Cause is just a suggestion then, huh?

:banghead:

[sarcasmo]

16. Police State bullshit, with the for profit prison system I expect to see more of this in the future.

[Throd]

17. The roads converge there because that's where the city is you jackboot dumbass!

[Taverner]

18. Ah, once again the constitution is just a fucking piece of paper