SAGINAW COUNTY, MI — Seven of eight homes involved in a marijuana bust on St. Patrick's Day were forfeited in October to an area drug task force after the property owners -- all based in Miami -- failed to respond to the forfeiture suit against them. The forfeiture haul, sought under Michigan drug law, totals $190,700 worth of assessed property value in 2017, according to tax records.
The property, together with all furniture, fixtures and contents, were forfeited to the Michigan State Police Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, with 20 percent of the proceeds going to the Saginaw County Prosecutor's Office, which brought the case.
Hundreds of pounds of marijuana seized in St. Patrick's Day raid
The St. Patrick’s Day raids March 17 on the eight Saginaw County homes yielded 285 marijuana plants, 172 pounds of marijuana, 18 pounds of marijuana shake, 59 marijuana stalks with roots and numerous grow operation items, according to the forfeiture suit.
Five of the homes were forfeited by default judgement, meaning the owners failed to respond to the suit, on Oct. 9. Two others were forfeited by the same means on Monday, Oct. 30.
Only one of the property owners, represented by attorney James F. Gust, is contesting the forfeiture.
Under Michigan drug law, an owner can lose a property over wrongdoings done by tenants if the prosecution proves before a trial by judge that the owner knew something illegal was taking place at the residence, Gust said.
19 people from three states charged with marijuana distribution
In all, 19 people from three states were arrested and charged with marijuana distribution. They were all present in the homes when the raids occurred, according to the forfeiture suit.
Most have pleaded to lesser charges, some are awaiting trial and the case against one person was dismissed. A Spanish translator was required for most, if not all, of the defendants.
Prosecutors previously characterized the case as a violation of Michigan's medical marijuana statutes.
Click HERE to look at each of the homes and what police found in them. All worth figures are based on the 2017 assessed value.
