Your ATF (tax dollars) at work.

[-..__...]

(not sure if this has been posted in the Lounge or GD).


http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/04/18/BAGRU66UPA1.DTL

" Owner scoffs at idea junkyard is a threat
$1 million damage caused during raid by agents, he says

The owner of a San Leandro warehouse complex searched by federal agents seeking rocket launchers scoffed Saturday at the notion that he has any links to terrorism or illegal military weapons.

"This is ridiculous -- I'm a junkyard owner, not a terrorist,'' said Harold Chapman, 75, owner of a 25-acre former Kellogg's corn flakes plant that has been converted into warehouse space. "I'm about as much threat to national security as a tired old dog.''

Federal investigators said Friday, as they searched the building, that they had no information linking the search to terrorism. The federal search warrant used to conduct the raid was sealed, but the U.S. magistrate who signed the warrant told The Chronicle the search was for "rockets that could be launched from military vehicles and (for) some M-16s.

McKee had said the raid was the culmination of a six-month investigation."


Six months and a million dollars worth of damage! I can only imagine what the total cost of the "investigation" is.

[Superfly]

1. Interesting warrant...

Why didn't the magistrate say :"Ummmm, just go find some shit"

[TX-RAT]

2. Lost all respect for the ATF after Waco.

Couple of local deputies could have handled that without shots being fired. Why was the Drug Task force involved?

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

3. My guess

My guess is someone at the ATF decided they wanted to show some muscle, lest the populace regard them as weak.

[cosmicdot]

4. wonder if the 6-month investigation included visiting the warehouse?

who is next ... Smithfield ham plant for nitrates? Someone selling "vitamins" over the internet?

I don't want to insult Sheriff Taylor or Deputy Fife because I like them ... but, 'Mayberry intelligence' is present everywhere throughout our police state .... Inspector Clouseau is more concise, and trustworthy of power and authority

so, our own government terrorizes a fellow-citizen to smoke-out terra-ist ... hmmmm .... I doubt if those in charge fail to see the irony or their own tyranny-at-work

those who serve and protect are given a bad name by steel plate mentality ... and, I sense that mindset may have ruled here