DEXTER, Maine — “Extremely loud” music led police to a marijuana growing operation Tuesday night.
Dexter Police Chief Kevin Wintle said he and Officer John Lieberman were on routine patrol on Charleston Road at 7:25 p.m. Tuesday when they came to a camp from which music was blasting.
“The music was extremely loud,” said Wintle.
When the two officers approached the door, Wintle said he noticed an open window next to the door.
“We could smell a heavy odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence,” said Wintle, adding that two large marijuana stems were in plain sight between the door and window. “We looked through the window and noticed a male subject processing marijuana.”
Wintle knocked on the door and the man answered. After Wintle told the man he had seen him process marijuana, he consented to a search of the property.
A greenhouse was discovered near the camp, as well as marijuana drying in another camp that the man said he was caretaking. Marijuana could be seen through the window of the second home, which the man also gave police consent to search.
“We got about 20 pounds of processed marijuana and we got probably right around 28 plants — they were fully mature plants,” said Wintle, adding that four firearms also were confiscated from the residence.
Wintle said the plants measured 2 inches in diameter at the base and were 12 feet tall.
“The greenhouse was full [of them],” said Wintle.
As a result of the searches and investigation, Raymond Buxton, 47, of Dexter was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with felony trafficking in Schedule W drugs.
Buxton was taken to the Dexter Police Department and bailed on $1,500 unsecured cash. He’s due in Penobscot County Superior Court on Nov. 15.
Wintle said Buxton was cooperative.
Buxton’s arrest marked the fifth significant marijuana bust in the past three months, said Wintle.
“We’re building a strong team here,” said Wintle. “The [town] council and town manager have allowed us more money to give us the opportunity to be more proactive [in making drug arrests]. Our office has been out there on the street working very hard.”
What a waste of time and money!!
So super cop drives by a camp in the middle of nothing and hears music at 7:30.
Even though no one had complained and there is no noise restrictions for this time period he decides he will heave his badge around and harass the camp owner.
While doing so he finds some pot and praise’s the town for giving them more money to battle drug crime.
Dexter should now give the money to the state to feed and house this guy while he is in jail. Obviously the police in Dexter don’t need it if all this happened during a routine harassment check.
Personally I do not want my tax money spent on prosecuting this man or housing him in jail for whatever amount of time he gets.
Do you enjoy reading into stories and coming up with false conclusions?
Exactly what “false” part in the story was there?
Oh wait – it was 7:25 not 7:30 – my bad
There is plenty but pointing it out to you is, well; pointless.
ya that is what I thought – you got nothing.
Kevy, you do it ALL the time, so why are you complaining?
I couldn’t agree more.
The money we taxpayers spend on the marijuana industry – Police, judges, prisons, lawyers, etc., FAR exceeds any good we get out of it – which is basically no good at all.
Yet if it was some escaped murderer people like you would be complaining the cop drove right by one and did nothing.
Yes because everyone knows that the first thing an escaped murderer does is go play loud music.
Just like illegal pot farm owners…..
Yeah, that wasn’t too smart was it ha ha ha ha ha.
Well, he was probably stoned already! Come on in man, sure, you can check those other buildings man! Do you like my music man? haha!
Wait, how would we even know about it if the cop drove right by?
People would complain about an escaped murderer being left alone because murder is wrong and bad for society. Some guy I don’t know smoking weed (or selling it, or growing it) does no harm to me, or to anybody.
Legalize it, tax it, regulate it.
I think thats the problem, they are driving past escaped murders and pediphiles, they’re spending all their time, money, and man power on the battle against marijuanna, if they happen to find other drugs its just an extra bonus, but the law is ONLY intrested in finding that weed. They are spending tax payers money arresting LEGAL growers! The state gives you a lisence to grow, takes the money you had to pay for the lisence and then arrests you for cultivating. A pediphile will get out with 6mo probation and a pot grower is getting 5-10 years! Where is the justice in that. The land of the free and brave, we may be brave but we sure arent free!
it wasn’t……..go with the facts
Good bye Fourth Amendment.
Stupid waste of time and money. Spend more time on confiscating bath salts.
What? No report on how many $million$ this little stash of natural herb is worth?
Good Maine green bud goes for around $1,800.00 a pound. You do the math. If you buy it from a licensed dispensary the price is much higher. Hench the illegal market!
“Hench”?
If it were commercially legal it would become like all other cash crops. Locally and organically grown will be more expensive then large farming operations. Dispensaries cater to a small niche market and that is why their prices are high. hence… HENCE
don’t know who your getn your weed from but $1800.00 is the goin rate for mexican my friend. good maine green goes for $2800-$3200 all day long!!
might balance the trillions of dollars u.s is in dept. i do not want the euro.
it could be worth alot more if it could be legal.
they normally weigh the roots and dirt along with the plant. that is why they dig it out rather then cut it., Bull crap.
Were they blasting out Willie Nelson tunes?? “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” maybe…..
probably Steve Earle Copperhead Road
guess this guy didn’t learn a thing or two from charlie don’t cha know.
it was the song by queen, another one bites the dust.
They call it dope for a reason.
Ya, because it makes folks like you complain about it. Legalize.
How did you get I am complaining about it from that short sentence? Go smoke some more and see if you can figure out why I typed that short sentence because I’m not complaining.
soundslike he was geting high off his pot
Where’s Tom?
Sounds real dangerous doesn’t he? What a waste of tax dollars. We fill our prisons with non violent people for no sane reason.
Nice job, get the crap off the streets!
Those are some tasty tunes, dude!
“The Dexter council and town manager have allowed us more money to give us the opportunity to be more proactive [in making drug arrests]”
–Looking good and looking smart Dexter,Maine!
Wonder how many kids are going to bed hungry in Dexter tonight?
I am guessing this guy, or whomever the actual owner is, would have sold locally, (stimulating the local economy btw), probably to the a lot of the folks who can’t afford the very same stuff from the dispensaries. It really galls me to see money squandered on this mindless prohibition that serves no purpose other than to pad the pockets of law enforcement and the prison industry.
There are very real problems in this country. There are no jobs, families are homeless, education is a joke, our infrastructure is crumbling before our eyes and yet instead of spending money to alleviate these ills our headinrectum government continues to waste billions upon billions to criminalize a plant.
Just FYI, try learning a little history. http://annieappleseedproject.org/nixtapshowwh.html
So…how many kids are going to bed hungry in Dexter tonight?
Maybe less are going hungry now that Mom & Dad aren’t dumping their money on weed.
I agree lets ban booze to!!!
1920s? it would complete the true “great depression” feel of our current economy…
Badoog, the very simple truth is that people will continue to use intoxicants. It seems it is hardwired into our brains. Some people use drugs, some alcohol. Others depend on extreme physical activity to stimulate endorphins in the brain. While a good many people around the world get their fix from religion, seeking an ecstatic state of mind from prayer, meditation or group think. All are harmful in their own way; some more-so than others.
Cannabis is relatively benign, especially if it is not smoked but either eaten of vaporized. The government’s own hand picked by Nixon committee said as much and recommended that it not be criminalized. Nixon found fault with this and the drug war and the multi billion dollar boondoggle had begun.
Now, as you speak of people spending money on pot instead of food, (yes, it happens just as it happens with ALL other intoxicants) let us for a moment consider how much cheaper cannabis would be in a legal market. You see, illegal is almost always more expensive. Even in the case of MM, the product is still illegal under federal law so the price will remain high. Now, let’s do the math on this simple premise: pot is legal to grow in your own backyard or greenhouse. How much does that cost? Nearly zip by my reckoning.
Your argument has no merit.
So,,, this camp is on an unmaintained dead end rd,,, well yu need an atv or snowmobile to get all the way through…. Anyways, my point being,,, this aint a rd that you just cruise down with a car! id say someone sqwealed on this guy,,, and they came up with this bogas story..
for one: it was 7:30 at night, and for 2, he would have had to have some killer speakers for the neighbors to be complaining about loud music, considering the camps/ housees are pretty well spaced apart
I hope this guy gets a good lawyer because it should be no problem to get out of these charges. Why don’t the cops go out and listen for a women screaming because she is being abused by her husband/partner. I would much rather read that a cop overheard a woman screaming and intervened to end the abuse. Who cares if this guy is playing loud music at a camp in the middle of nowhere, yeah what a terrible nuisance that is. Legalize it, before we dump anymore money into the endless pit that is the war on marijuana.
You haven’t heard? Well now,in our new police state, the Law Man doesn’t need a search warrant to walk around the woods listening for music. Then approach your camp to tell you HE thinks it’s to loud. Does he carry a db meter with him everywhere? What’s “loud” for you could be quiet for me. Crazy..just crazy!
Illegal search and seizure by pepping cops :-/
Outstanding job Dexter P.D..! As is the case with speeding, drunk driving, burglary, embezzlement and domestic violence homicide, until any of these crimes are made non-crimes legislatively, you all are to be commended…and are by me…for standing down all of the individuals with IQ’s below sea level. I wonder what all of the posters supporting the confirmed criminal subject of this story (cultivating) might have to say if a resident of that residence had yanked out an AR and sprayed the door area with 30 rounds of 223 ammo while taking out the initial two officers on scene (As happened in West Bloomfield, Michigan 3 weeks ago when Officer Patrick O’Rourke…a friend of mine…died)? Always ignore those who prefer that you not do your jobs including all of the individuals who “like” the most popular post in response to this article. It is my hope that the District Attorney has the guts and the ethics to take this dude and the dude arrested over two weeks ago on a similar charge straight to the mat. I learned long ago that camp roads are the most fertile grounds for felony arrests and convictions. And yes, I smoked pot and owned a 4 foot bong (The Blue Max) in college.
But then, I woke up thankfully.
Well then I guess we better start sending the police to the church’s and bring a big bus because here in Maine it is against the law to not bring a shotgun with you to mass.
We will also be needing some extra patrols after Christmas because it is against the law to have Christmas decorations up after Jan. 14.
Augusta may need a few extra men to stop all those violin players from walking down the street.
Meanwhile the South Berwick police may want to start arresting themselves for parking in front of Dunkin Doughnuts.
Just because it is on a law book doesn’t mean it should be there or enforced.
Sounds to me like you must have been doing more than smoking herb. You’ve lost your mind.
You must be a paid cheerleader for the Dexter PD and Kevin Wintle. “Routine patrol” on a Tuesday night by an Officer with the Chief riding along? Lieberman has been an Officer for a while and from what I know doesn’t need the Chief babysitting him. There is proactive policing and then there is acting off of a tip and wording it just right to get around the 4th Amendment. Perhaps while you were pushing the Town to hire Kevin as Chief, you might have taken a minute to tell him that part of policing involves just doing your job and not calling the BDN every time you make a weed bust. It’s just weed. If this person were a crazed gunman with an AR, it WOULD be newsworthy. Officer O’Rourke’s death was the result of a Domestic Violence call with shots fired- not a “routine patrol” with loud music and weed. It was tragic and senseless.
You, Mr Gagan, are a sensationalist. The Dexter PD did their job- nothing more- nothing less. Hopefully the DA will accept their story as how it happened. This PR campaign of patting themselves on the back was probably your idea. It’s only a matter of time before the Dexter PD does what it has done in the past- turn on their Chief, get him to retire and then Grinnell can have his turn. Anyone in Dexter who pays attention will know that.
Good post , these ( I suspect users ) who posted above seem to forget that what this fellow did is still against the law. Perhaps they also text and/or drive above the speed limit. Their selfish thinking puts law abiding citizens in danger everyday. I say bravo to the cops for doing their jobs !
I am just guessing, which is just a guess, but I got a feelin’ there is some real busy stool pigeon’s out and about who just love to see a bust. So, the cops get a tip, and it is interesting how they do the dreamin’ up of a, oh just happen by and saw this or that through the window( I got no real reason or right to be here, you do buy my loud music yarn, don’t ya). In a Police State situation, you never find any great police work, responding to tips is their specialty.
Maybe it was Smokey the Bear…puff…puff…pass
Another waste of tax payers dollars.
Two words for Mr. Buxton. Low profile.
…….”“We’re building a strong team here,” said Wintle”………
Too bad they hadn’t had a “strong team” last year, maybe Amy Lake and her two children would still be alive!
Oh give me a break, really? You think that is all Dexter PDs fault? I don’t think it was the cop that gave that guy a light punishment to put him back on the streets….
The alleged plants belonging to Malcom and co looked way better.
Dexter residents should be pleased and appreciate the pro-active approach that Chief Wintle has taken enforcing the law and rid Dexter of the crime and undesireables the town has housed the past twenty years. Growing up in Dexter in the 50’s-70 it was one of the best places in the state to live and work. Unfortunately today it just isn’t that way but with a strong and pro-active police department and a Chief who cares maybe he can at least bring back the safe community it was once. Keep up the good work Chief Wintle.
If it was just pot leave him alone . It is not like he is hurting anyone and now the tax payers have to pay for him to live and feed him not fear to us. Just make it legal and get it over with.
Local pot operation gets busted. Potheads can’t buy locally anymore. Mexican drug cartel send more pot into United States. Potheads buy drug cartels pot and majority of money goes to Mexico instead of staying local. Pot grower thrown in prison at cost to taxpayers.
Sounds like a lose/lose to me.
So they can catch a guy growing harmless drug in the middle of the woods but they can’t catch the people robbing pharmacies for the really dangerous drugs?
Something is wrong here.
There have been no robberies of pharmacies in Dexter- just to be fair to the DPD
Not yet, but soon enough.
Agreed. Maybe some proactive policing on Spring St would be better than on the Charleston Rd.
there have been in neighboring towns, it is only a mater of time. It also wouldn’t suprise me if the pittsfield and newport robberies were a dexter resident.
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
People gettin’ ready for the news
Some are happy, some are sad
Oh, we got to let the music play
What the people need
Is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
Gotta get a message
Get it on through
Oh, now mama’s go’n’ to after ‘while
Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
All the time
What song was he blasting?
Everyone needs to watch the documentary “The Union” excellent source of information on this subject.
Have you called the police when you see this pedophile? Do you know if this pedophile is not allowed near schools? Being on the Registry does not mean you cannot walk the street. As much as I detest pedophiles, they have rights too.
People do not go to jail for smoking a joint- possessing marijuana is a ticket and a fine. Part of the problem with the pro marijuana posters is you post inaccuracies like the ” jail filled with pot smokers” comment. It would just be better if you said it should be legalized and taxed and be done with it. I’m pretty sure you personally don’t use marijuana for fuel, food, medicine or any of the other 0ver 50,000 uses. You smoke it and get high and it makes you feel good. If you are using it because of a sickness or disease, then I hope it eases your suffering. It’s too bad that one of marijuana’s over 50,000 uses isn’t making spelling or grammar better.
Unfortunately the pro pot folks are to stoned and paranoid to unite and pay attention long enough to go to Augusta and petetion the legislature to change the laws. Isn’t it cool to criticize annonomously though.
It’s too stoned not “to stoned”. Unfortunately you did not pay enough attention in english class to know the difference.
However I am pleased to see that your ignorance has not stopped you from commenting on something you know nothing about, good for you!
There are more extremely important crimes happening other than some middle aged guy sitting in is camp clipping a plant that god himself grew! For example, there is a pediphile who walks the street in front of my house why my girls r waiting for the bus, you see him walking past the school and the law does nothing. Theres no room for real criminals because the jails are filled with pot smokers! Jails and prisons were meant to hold people who are a PHYSICAL VIOLENT THREAT TO SOCIETY, not responsable adults smoking a joint, anymore than they should lock you up for having a beer. Weather you smoke, grow, or eat marijuanna you are not hurting ANYONE, not even yourself. Marijuanna is the #1 plant #1 fuel #1 food and #1 medicine in the world , what other plant can you find over 50,000 uses for! People have got to educate themselves when it come to this plant, it can literally save the world, medicinaly it saves lives everyday! HEMP FOR VICTORY!!!!!
nothing against the P.D ., but how does following loud music to a pot grower translate into the police on the street working very hard? sounds like they got lucky to me,unless there is more to the story like maybe a tip from the public?