GPS cyborg turtle busts marijuana growers

An American turtle indigenous to Maryland's Rock Creek Park and with a GPS unit soldered to his shell has gone nark, busting an entire marijuana growing operation.

You might call him a pint-sized crime fighter. A box turtle equipped with GPS helps police nab a suspect growing marijuana in Rock Creek Park.
Just south of the DC/Maryland line, a turtle wearing a GPS device for research purposes makes an amazing discovery.

"The ranger in charge of the program discovered the turtle in the middle of a marijuana field," Sgt. Robert Lachance of the U.S. Park Police says...

Leading to the reporter's wry observation: "Growing marijuana on U.S. park land is never a good idea." The 19-year-old culprit was arrested and will be extradited back to D.C. to face charges. Quoth the arresting officer: "He felt like he had a layer of security, but he probably never counted on a turtle with a tracking device leading us to that location and finding the field." Showing that even criminal masterminds often overlook the most obvious foil to their dastardly schemes.

Turtle nabs drug suspect [WUSA via OhGizmo]

Discussion

Take a look at this

#1 posted by Moon , August 20, 2008 9:15 AM

That might explain this turtle. He was jonesin' for some smoke!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwQ4hDsP_jg

#2 posted by Anonymous , August 20, 2008 9:38 AM

As somebody who lives in College Park Md, I have to say "Fear the turtle!"

#3 posted by thermidorthelobster , August 20, 2008 9:51 AM

I'm just wondering how you solder electronics onto a turtle shell. But not wondering quite hard enough to actually rtfa.

#4 posted by mappo , August 20, 2008 10:30 AM

Rock Creek Park is in DC, not MD.

#5 posted by The Lizardman

, August 20, 2008 11:08 AM

Turtle shall now replace 'pig' as the derogatory slang term for police with the added benefit of the obvious response time jokes

#6 posted by randomcat , August 20, 2008 12:56 PM

I like turtles.

#7 posted by mdhatter

, August 20, 2008 2:16 PM

just FYI - turtles are released like this in order to find where their habitat is.

In MA it is now illegal to transport native turtles without a permit (a few NIMBY types were found planting turtles to justify wildlife habitat/ wetlands justified cancellation of building projects).

I guess we now know what sort of habitat turtles really like.

#8 posted by gonzilla , August 20, 2008 2:22 PM

fear the turtle
go terps

#9 posted by chromal , August 20, 2008 2:31 PM

Even if you accept the notion that a 19-year-old growing some weed is "dastardly,"

"even criminal masterminds often overlook the most obvious foil to their dastardly schemes"

Would someone please explain what is obvious about the random wanderings of a gps-bugged turtle?

#10 posted by rAMPANTiDIOCY , August 20, 2008 3:53 PM

WHEN AM I GOING TO AWAKE FROM THIS NIGHTMARE?
LEGALIZE FREEDOM!

#11 posted by redthoughts , August 20, 2008 5:18 PM

@8 Yes, the random wanderings of a turtle being followed by a ranger is not only obvious, but means "turtle busts marijuana growers." Apparently it whipped out little hand cuffs and took the 19 year old (which somehow is a 'growers') into custody.

Can I hope this whole post is actually a joke, making fun of this? John?

#12 posted by Moon , August 20, 2008 5:56 PM

So, how does this work? Is there a camera on the turtle and they view it continuously and when the turtle accidentally stumbles on the drug dealer, the note the location and "SWARM!SWARM!SWARM!" or what?

I don't get it.

#13 posted by mdhatter

, August 20, 2008 10:25 PM

Turtle habitat = where turtles like to be.

So you bug them and let them show you.

Apparently turtles are hippies.

#14 posted by monstrinho_do_biscoito , August 21, 2008 3:09 AM

yes. the most obvious foils. a tortoise. with GPS. obvious.

#15 posted by John Brownlee , August 21, 2008 3:53 AM

Congratulations, everyone. You got the joke. A GPS turtle is NOT an obvious foil. Well done.

#16 posted by Bonnie

, August 21, 2008 12:11 PM