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Dartmouth, MA Marijuana Seizure Illustrates Prohibition's Impracticality

The following adaptation is based on an article by Brian Fraga, ( Police seize 200 pounds of marijuana in Dartmouth, 11-25-2009, New Bedford Standard-Times), and is part of a demonstration project on drug policy conducted by the publication Drug War Chronicle.

The failure of drug prohibition was dramatically demonstrated in the town of North Dartmouth, MA, this week, after prohibition agents seized 200 pounds of marijuana inside an Idaho-based tractor-trailer and arrested its two drivers, according to the New Bedford Standard-Times. Documents filed in New Bedford District Court allege that the duo -- a father and son -- had been using a Fall River hotel parking lot as a drop-off and delivery point, the Standard-Times reported.

Illustrating the sheer impracticality of prohibition, the two arrests were made only after much of a long-term investigation into a suspected marijuana-trafficking operation had already been completed. Authorities believe that the pair operated without significant impediment during all that time.

Illustrating how difficult prohibition can make it to distinguish between innocence and guilt, defense lawyer Michelle Rioux pointed out that the pair of alleged traffickers could have been set up. Neither of them have lengthy criminal records, she told the Standard-Times.

The two men were arraigned Wednesday on trafficking and conspiracy charges, and were being held on $50,000 cash bail. Authorities believe other traffickers now supply marijuana to the area.