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Google Earth Used by Swiss Police to Bust Marijuana Field Owners
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by Tina Kells | January 29, 2009 at 01:19 pm
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Googe Earth was used by Swiss police to identify a 2-acre marijuana field in the northeastern canton of Thurgau and led to the arrest 16 people, Thursday. The Google Earth marijuana bust resulted in the seizure of 1.2 tons of marijuana worth an estimated $780,000US.
The Google Earth centered sting operation was part of a broader investigation launched last year after police accidentally stumbled upon the marijuana field using the popular global mapping software. Google Earth led police to the marijuana field and allowed them to track down the owners of the farms.
"It was an interesting chance discovery," said Klossner.
Prosecutor Gabi Alkalay told reporters in Zurich that she plans to complete her criminal investigation in February, after which she will formally charge the 16 suspects and ask for prison sentences for all of them.
The gang is alleged to have sold up to 7 tons (7.7 US tons) of hashish and marijuana between 2004 and 2008, with an annual turnover of 3-10 million francs a year, officials said.
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at 03:37 on February 11th, 2009
you can read the full story behind this photo here:
http://www.angusbeare.com/Photography/PhotonbspnbspEssays/GinakIslandTheGambia/tabid/466/Default.aspx
Or buy a full sized version here:
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography-search-results.asp?qt=A6EPR4+&ns=1&lic=6&lic=1&archive=1&size=0xFF
angusbeare has contributed a photo to this story.