More on the Pork Rind Scandal in Appalachia

If you read my rant about the Pork Rind Scandal, you know my opinion that this was a drug ring. I received some emails asking how I came about that. Well in Tim McAfee's press conference it was stated that people outside city limits had been subjected to harassment. Their property was taken, including drugs. A reporter asked why the victims of this harassment did not call state police. McAfee said that they could not do that since they were most likely drug dealers they would not report this crime. Why would they? Sure they lost their dope, but they were not charged. I should add that one of the defendants in this case is accused of bringing drugs into the town from another state. Finally, here is what was found at the police dept according to the Coalfield Progress:

At the police department, he said, state police found what they suspected were prescription pills, marijuana and other drugs lying in desk drawers and filing cabinets. The drugs were not marked or identified as being linked to particular cases, McAfee said. Officers found what they believe to be a marijuana plant in the desk drawer of Surber, who is currently in charge of the department, the prosecutor said. At this time, officials aren't alleging that there was criminal activity involving the drugs or marijuana plant, he said, "but what was it doing in a desk drawer?" McAfee called the unsecured storage of drugs in various places "a horrible way to do business."

Investigative findings related to the police department went beyond drugs, according to McAfee. Appalachia police had conducted a search of a citizen's residence more than a year ago, the prosecutor said. They seized drugs, a large television set and a knife set. One of the police officers had been using the television set at his own house for about a year and a half, according to McAfee.

That sounds very strange to me. Brian Patton has more about another aspect of this here.

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