The Catnip Cartel
When you think of the word “Cartel”, typically it is associated with drugs, criminal organizations that traffic drugs, and of course, illegal activity. How is it possible that catnip and cartel are associated? The possession of catnip is not illegal or is it? Let me paint the picture of “The Catnip Cartel” as all may not be as it seems and jumping to conclusions can be very serious.
It was a very warm and far too humid day in July of 1979. One of those Roanoke, Virginia summer days that you need to be lounging by a refreshing pool, but there was no pool for us. We were stuck in the house with our mother and bored out of our minds.
I had shortly returned from residing in Florida and was living with my mother, Sylvia, my stepfather, …show more content…
Look at all the cops over there! What’s going on?” my sister asked.
We were all lined up on the sofa, eyes fixed on the view from the front window as if we were watching a movie unfold. We had no idea as to what was taking place. Debbie became concerned because she and David were so close. He was at work and would probably be walking home. She did not want him walking up on the police at his home. She had decided to get to him before he rounded the corner placing himself with a view of his home.
Then we saw it! An officer was placing the catnip-filled tube sock in an evidence bag! They were holding it with a pair of long tongs! They were wearing gloves!
In almost perfect unison, we, Debbie and I, had the same thought.
“They think the catnip is POT!”
One of the officer’s returned to his car, made a quick call on the radio and removed an evidence kit from his trunk. They began walking every inch of the neighbor’s yard; taking photos when they thought necessary. Another police car pulled up. The Criminal Investigation and Forensics vehicle followed. Three police cars and an investigation vehicle were parked across from our home because of a tube sock filled with …show more content…
Surely, they had a test to confirm that it was marijuana!
Debbie saw David about to make the turn to his home. She shouted for him to come to the side window of our house. He could not see his home because of the trees. She gave him her quick version of the happenings and asked that he find out what the police were thinking.
About ten minutes later, our phone rang. Debbie answered; it was David and he was in utter hysterics.
“Debbie, I was truly hoping that my brother had gotten himself into trouble and when did you become a dealer?” David barely spoke between the laughter. David and Doug had a strained relationship, at times. This was one of those times!
David filled Debbie in on the details he eavesdropped on. It seemed as though the Roanoke City Police thought that maybe someone was in a hurry. Wanting to ditch their drugs, they tossed it into the yard, planning to return later and get their “supply”.
Supply, their supply was nothing more than Hartz Catnip. WalMart, PetCo, and any other pet store are the dealers. You can even buy the seeds to grow your own every spring. You can buy a plant at any