Operation: Southern Sweep, an interview with Special Agent Joseph Schadler For weeks, a rumor circulated that the Feds were coming to Arcata for a big "bust- a-thon," ostensibly cracking down on medical marijuana once and for all. That's not exactly how it happened, but there was some truth to the rumors. Although the raids seem to have focused primarily on what one agent called a "homegrown cartel" operating from the safety of Southern Humboldt's mountainous terrain, there were nearly five hundred state and federal law enforcement agents investigating properties all over the county, including one property in Sunny Brae. The high-profile raids also seem to have triggered some kind of a reflex response in weblogs and online communities like the Craigslist personals section. In what the
Arcata Eye called "an unprecedented fusion" of new media and old, citizen journalists
came out of the woodwork to collaborate with their professional counterparts -- bringing
the most up-to-date information into public light through the least likely of sources.FBI Spokesperson Joe Schadler was available to discuss the subject. Full Interview: Schadler -- Part 1 Schadler -- Part 2 |
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