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GoogleSenglem Eric Wong, 40, of Le Mars was one of five drug arrests in two drug stings that took place Wednesday night and Thursday morning in Le Mars.
Wong was arrested on the felony charge of possession with intent to deliver after the Joint Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 3:25 a.m. today on his residence, the former church at 401 First Street S.W.
The task force also served a search warrant on the basement residence, occupied by Paula Diane Swann, 48, and Wes Robert Livesay, 50.
In the search, the task force found packaged marijuana, money, a scale and drug paraphernalia, according to the Le Mars Police report.
The search led to the arrest of Wong, Swann and Livesay.
The arrests went without incident, according to the police department.
Wong faces the "intent to deliver" charge, along with possession of drug paraphernalia and keeping a drug house, both misdemeanors.
Swann and Livesay face charges of possession of a controlled substance (Swann's second offense), keeping a drug house and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.
According to the police, the investigation, which began in January, is ongoing.
The other drug sting took place Wednesday evening at 10 p.m. after the task force served a search warrant on the home at 321 Second Ave. N.W., the residence of Robert Eugene Trobaugh, 29, and Cassandra Belinda Hansen, 22.
During the search, the task force seized marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Both Trobaugh and Hansen were arrested and booked into the Plymouth County Jail.
Trobaugh faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, his second offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Hansen faces a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the police, the two drug stings were unrelated.
The Joint Drug Task Force is a collaboration between the Le Mars Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
Way to go LMPD and Mike's crew! Keep working on getting this stuff OUT of our town!
They face two serious misdemeaners, big deal. these should be felonys in my book.
Job well done JOINT DRUG TASK FORCE!!!! I guess I'm too dumb to figure out why people deal drugs. In my book they are going to get caught sooner or later anyway. Onward and upward, I hope they make more arrests!
Good Job!!
About time we buckle town on this stuff!!! ;)
Great Job drug force as a LeMars Citizen I am thankful to have them here to protect my family from the drugs they took off the street.
WHOO HOOO!
Posted by tha truth on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, at 10:25 PM - "it's been proven over and over again that marijuana is less harmful and addictive than both cigarettes and alcohol"
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Do you have a source for this so-called "proof"? Marijuana plays a major role as a "gateway drug," which makes subsequent use of more potent and disabling substances more likely. The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found adolescents who smoke pot 85 times more likely to use cocaine than their non--pot smoking peers. And 60 percent of youngsters who use marijuana before they turn 15 later go on to use cocaine. Its usage as a "gateway drug," is especially dangerous, as more addictive drugs like cocaine or heroin are considered far more dangerous than marijuana.
Research indicates that marijuana users experience a higher likelihood of problems at work, home, and school than nonusers. Research in animal and human populations also indicates that marijuana use negatively impacts such cognitive functions as concentration, learning, and memory. Additional research on humans shows an impact on learning that might last up to four weeks. Marijuana use impairs judgment in the short-term as evidenced by findings of the Department of Health and Human Services. Their studies indicate that Washington, D.C., emergency rooms deal with more than 2,500 cases a year in which marijuana smoking plays a part, with more than 10 percent of those patients under 18 years of age. Driving under the influence of marijuana also contributes to traffic accidents which regularly result in injuries and death.
Less harmful? Obviously your opinion is "clouded." A few too many joints this week? Now that your main supplier has probably just been busted, maybe you'll start thinking more clearly!
Thank you LMPD for your investigation and hard work. This was no run of the mill, street vendor dealing drugs to a portion of our society we classify as "subculture." Eric was in a position that parents believed was one of trust and mentorship to young people at his place of employment. He was supposed to "lead from the front" instead of taking advantage of his position to make contacts for his sales. "Tha Truth" obviously has no children or is complicit in their manner of dealing with troubles good citizens try to defeat to make our town a better place to live in. Once again...thank you for all the hard [and sometimes unappreciated] work you do LMPD and Drug Task Force.
test
Posted by tha truth on Fri, May 1, 2009, at 10:35 AM - "due to the highly successful job i have, i no longer smoke marijuana"
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Random drug testing finally woke you up,huh?
This house that was busted is a plus in my book. Being a homeowner close to this property and having small children & having home daycares in that area....and with him being active in the area....it's just sad. I guess you just never know someone.
Is that true-it's just a Misdemeaner and not a felony? There's something wrong with that - but I thought he had an intent to distribute - that is a felony-isn't it-jail time?
But than you have a mother doing the same thing that was busted. I hope her children are taken away from her. (period)
And isn't doing this type of thing in an old church just wrong?
War on Drugs.... I have many feelings and comments towards its effectiveness. To summarize, "IT ISN'T".
I think that people should wise up to the effects of drugs and their uses. I believe that keeping drugs illegal creates the self serving cycle of abuse, illegal trade, manipulation, money laundering, power/corruption, crime, and unneccessary death.
Portugal has been a study of legalization of drugs and education. Very interesting to see how they have broken the cycle. The drugs are legal, most won't abuse them due to education of the people. A successful intervention takes a problem head on, puts the citizen back into society without additional burden to society.
Again, we have shown to be unsuccessful dealing with the problem presented. Put some people away where we care for them, feed them, clothe them, maybe give them some training; all at tax payer expense. Yet the homeless get what? So we reward these people who have done wrong without suffering except for freedom... Where's the justice in that?
Well, I don't do drugs and I've known that Mr. Wong has been selling drugs for years.. I do congradulate the LMPD for their efforts but you'd think after 5-6 years you would be able to catch him.? There are also many other "high sociatal (sp. check)" people who do much worse drugs than maraijuana.. but you don't see them getting messed with.. This town is a little corrupt in that sense, but I like living here and I appreciate what is being done to help control the drugs in this town.!
First and foremost...YES, thank you LPD, job well done. Keep up the good work. Now, on the other side of things. People are too quick to judge. A few of you have posted comments on Eric Wong, and a mother in this news forum. It states how Eric was looked at as a well respected member of the community. Now because he faces two serious drug charges your perception of him is completely altered. Same with the mother named in this case. However, just because one smokes pot of uses illegal drugs does not make them a different person. Look at it this way, Eric has helped many members of this community, just because he wanted to go home and smoke a bowl before bed doesn't make him or anyone else any different. It just barrells down to good people doing "bad" things. Remember marijuana is a highly controversal issue and i sad "bad" because that is how Iowa's government looks at it. Another way to put it... How many people do you know in the sober life are neat to be around, but once they have had a couple drinks in them act differently or even make you not want them around, same instance, there are people you can be sober with and people you can't. Doesn't change who they are, it's just something they do. If you are a good golfer and golf with friends who bring someone who is a poor sport, sure you will talk to them and get along just fine outside the clubhouse, but you probably don't want to continue teeing off with someone who doesn't enjoy losing. Just please community members, understand that what people may or may not do.....does NOT make them who they are.
Marijuana? huh I would have guessed Opium
you can post all the myhts and facts you want but it is still against the law
Its all fine and dandy they are busting people for selling marijuana, but why not bust the people who are selling the harder drugs, such as coke, crank, etc..those ARE the people that need to be busted, and there are plenty of them in LeMars!!
Anti marijuana laws do more harm to our citizens than the actual marijuana. It's a shame to see someone's life get horribly disrupted and a reputation destroyed over something so trivial. We shouldn't blame the police or the judges, they are doing their jobs. But these laws seriously need to be reexamined.
You mention "near future" - marijuana will NOT be legal in my lifetime, and I figure I have at least 40 years to go!
Did Wrong-I mean Wong- have a legit job, in addition to his pharmaceutical sales one?? Anyone know??
Reading these commends will really make your mind up on the damage drugs do to people. Sounds like a lot of brain dead ones out there and either side can take that anyway they want. It's a lot easier to explain to a 2 year old.
The police go after the tweakers and the coke heads along with the stoners and potheads. They certainly aren't focusing on just marijuana.
Marijuana isn't good for you but some try to make the argument that "at least it's less bad for you!". What great logic that is.
The police didn't use "their super sweet swat team" at the search warrants but I wouldn't have blamed them if they did. If you make statements on here as fact at least please have your facts straight.
I suspect "tha truth" gets the LeMars corruption conspiracy theories from chronic drug use causing chemical induced paranoia and psychosis. By there own admission they moved away and no longer live in LeMars. Local law enforcement doesn't condone any illegal activity. In fact there are usually a vocal few on this web site who routinely cry about how "heavy handed" the police are.
Some of us "old fart hillbillies" still adhere to some of those old fashioned 1930's values and morals and I certainly don't apologize for it and I'm not ashamed of it.
Some of the posters suggest they've known Wong was dealing drugs for years, that it was very well known, and they chastise the police because the police should have known. Just once during those several years did it ever cross your mind to notify the police if even anonymously!?!? If you knew it was going on and said nothing then shame on you. Do you know what it is to be a decent and contributing member of your community? There are people in this town trying to lead productive lives who want to raise children in a clean and safe enviroment. If you had knowledge of anyone involved in illegal drug activity why wouldn't you notify law enforcement?
"Tha truth" claims to have a highly successful job (want fries with that?) but if that persons identity were known they probably wouldn't have such a highly successful job due to there admitted illegal drug abuse.
The article states that Wong was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver which is definitely a felony. It also clearly states that packaged marijuana, a scale, and cash was recovered. To me this shows that Wong is not some casual user.
Cocaine, heroin, and marijuana all comes from plants and should all be illegal. If you continue to use or distribute drugs then you might get a "3:00 A.M. wake-up call" just as Wong did.
The drug abusers are still the small minority and the good guys still outnumber the bad guys.
I fully support local law enforcement in this endeavor and I wish them happy hunting.
Well said, Fighting the Tide!!!!!
While I do not endorse or promote abuse of any drug, much research has been performed and continues in ways to avert the problem. I feel that keeping drugs illegal isn't helping anyone. There needs to be education to everyone about the proper use and effects of drugs, what happens when they are abused. To say Marijuana or any other drug does not have any effects or hazards is ignorance of multiple studies and common sense. THC is the chemical found in marijauna that causes the 'high' and has been known to reside in the body for greater than 30 days (detectible). Other drugs being worse? Well abuse is just that. If using marijuana is totally safe, then why is it used? I don't see anyone out there smoking maple leaves just because they are there.
I do believe that our continuing to make the problem a good guy/ bad guy situation does little more than add challenge to a problem. It isn't a resolving solution; more of an enticement to rebel and challenge. Drugs are also big money makers on the black market. If made legal, the black market, transport, and crime related would dissappear because the demand wouldn't be prevalent anymore.
What we do currently for punishment doesn't deter people from going back to the same thing that got them in trouble to begin with.
War on drugs, what a joke. Been there, done that, saw the corruption, witnessed abuse of power. Nope not a solution.
I believe when you work a job like WOng has, he should lose it if he hasnt already. I guarantee he isnt hiding the fact he does what he does from his workers. Wouldnt be surprised to find them in the cooler doing it. Plus make sure everyone goes on the tour of homes to his newly renovated Church house that has drug fumes coming out of the walls! Drugs in and old church? thats nice.
Fighting the tide, i don't think marijuana was illegal in 1930... was it?
Good Job LPD!
Question. What kind of bear is best?
That's a ridiculous question.
False. Black bear.
That's debatable. There are basically two schools of thought--
Fact. Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
Bears do not... What is going on?! What are you doing?!
Look at the previous post by isiginamo and tell me marijuana isn't harmful to you!
Your argument of using this for medical purposes is a great idea as long as its administered as other meds are, by a Doc. I have a feeling Mr. Wong was not using this for anything other than selling to whom ever making some extra cash, hence, a drug dealer. I understand your feelings but today this is in violation of the Law right or wrong. I echo the feeling of other people as I don't want someone selling drugs next to my house DO YOU?
If following the law equates to ignorant and senseless, I'll take that anyday. I offer the same challenge to you. If you are so set in your belief that marijuana should be legal, and doesn't feel that it harms anyone, go stand in front of the LMPD for 15-20 minutes toking one up. Make a stand, be a test case, show what a man - er, loser - you really are! As has been proven in these posts, the majority feel that marijuana IS illegal, and should stay that way! Continue breaking the law; it's only a matter of time before you become a resident of Mr. Van Otterloo's public hotel (probably won't be your first time as a guest there, either).
Hey "tha truth"! If you hate Le Mars so much, left it as soon as you could, don't have time for the "hillbillies" there, and have a "highly successful job," why is it you have time to read the Le Mars Sentinel on-line and, even more so, have the time to type out your ramblings? Maybe your highly successful job isn't keeping you busy enough, huh?
By the way, kudos to the Le Mars Police Department, and keep up the good work!!
Hey "Tha Truth"
We live in IOWA, pretty sure the ghetto is from here so is the slang!!! Learn to spell... You only make your self look more ignorant!!!
I believe the word you were looking for is "The"
On another note it is a plus to get the drugs out of town! Due to the fact that I myself have small children and yes as they get older they will experiment with this and that but until then lets nip it in the butt please! Drugs whether legal or not need to be watched and I believe LMPD is getting allot better of being on top of things.
Good Job LMPD ;)
Whiners, I would like to make it leagal for a different reason, so it won't be abused. I am not for using any drugs on whim. I do see some remarks on here that represent our education of drug usage has not been very successful.
Posted by ADifferentView on Wed, May 6, 2009, at 8:45 PM - "I would like to make it legal for a different reason, so it won't be abused."
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Won't be abused? You mean like alcohol? Drugs WILL be abused if they are legal, just like alcohol. People will become even MORE addicted to drugs if they are legal, just like with cigarettes. The education they receive is enough to stop some from using drugs. It's just ignorance of the dangers that prompt some to use and abuse drugs.
"Whiners"
I strongly disagree that they would be more addicting!
I just want to express illegal use is a NO NO but medical use actually has helped allot of people in some not so lucky conditions!
I know first hand as watching a close family member go through a difficult medical condition! He has been able to use Medical Marijuana, the edge it takes off of the unbearable pain he goes through has helped him in ways I can't even describe! He is not seeing little green people, he is not laughing for no reason, he is not squinting his eyes saying "DUDE!" and he is definitely not saying "Puff Puff Pass!" He is dealing with a life threatening condition that is just difficult waking up every morning! Not one pain killer or drug out there has helped with the pain that he has been going through for 15years, as this one has! So yes Medical Marijuana has a place in our medical society!
I don't believe we should have random people growing it, selling it ect... But I STRONGLY and FIRMLY believe it can be helpful if it is going to the right hands!
Any drug is addicting, any alcoholic beverage is addicting and if we are going to get into details so is food, and eating disorders. But it is the user who must control the amounts taken them selves!
I had all of my children C-Section and I didn't use ONE PAIN KILLER! But I'm a stubborn mule! My fear was allowing the medication to seep through my nursing!
So using my example there it is "YOU HAVE TO THINK THINGS THROUGH!"
Allot of people assume it's a huge deal and that it is wrong but when it can medically help better then 3/4 of the medications out there, I'd sign up! When you use Medical Marijuana it doesn't have a HUGE side effect list or cause of death list as so many of the other medications on the market now and days!
I had a doctor who didn't even have my daughters medical condition down to a "T" yet try to put her on a medication that could cause her to have kidney damage, cause her blood to thin or even make her a little more sick then normal! Why on GODS green earth would I put her on that? (FYI: She ended up not having a condition it was being around an item that was making her sick!) So imagine if we didn't think it thorough and put her on it? Crazy how that works hu?
Too me the price we pay for these so called Great Medications is a joke! Prescription medications allot of times are a good way to make a buck off you! Ever notice that the ones that work are the ones that they have to cause a controversy over because they know they work? Why is that? Oh I know becasue they wont make as much money anymore!
Legalize it but strictly to help the ill!
I would much rather use that then be in fear of a "Use This but you may die" type of medications!
"Tha Truth"
I don't mean to be a hag but if you want to be taken seriously get a new name for your self! You just make any point you try to get across sound moronic! Do not get me wrong somewhere in your twisted thought process I get your point but just learn to speak with out mumbling!
I think you missed my point of legalization and use. Please look at NPR's Terry Gross hosting Fresh Air March 24, 2009; and April 12, 2009. When you look at the crime related to drug sales, drug abuse, neglect, and power... it comes together. With proper education we all learn respect and safety to control powerful things. Like electricity, if you are part of the short, you will become electrically charged and potentially die; or if lucky just get a shock. That is a matter of controlling a powerful force and if used properly it will do many wonderful things for us. If abused it could really cause some serious problems.
think i've said what i need to, I'll leave it alone now...
Why is this second story even included in this article? "Drug sting?" Now bustin down someone's door and takin their dime bag is considered a drug sting?
Pretty soon...no laughing at jokes...and no reading in libraries...
"tha truth" - Way to stand up for what you believe!
The 1st Ammendment is there to protect your "unpopular" speech. Especially speech against the Government and its officials!
Government Lackeys(cops) and their useful idiots will always denegrate, demean and smear you with "pothead" epitaphs when you dare threaten A. What they have been told to believe about pot and B. Their livlihood.
Fact of the matter is that it is easier to get ANY kind of drug today than it was before their drug "war", let alone pot.
When will you Brainwashed idiots realize the drug "war" is an industry and an excuse for Militarized Police!
WAKE UP!
I believe...that "fightingthetide" and "whiners" have been sampling the evidence. Hmmm...if you notice the timeframe between these "Drug Stings" it is just about the time they would be running out of their supply.
(Can someone please check the Evidence room?)
My hair is almost dry and my husband is taking me out for Mothers Day...I need to get my makeup on..
Happy Mothers Day.
(Let me state...I am against ANY kind of drug use including what your Drug dealer Doctors prescribe...but these Laws and the drug "war" are ridiculus!)
I'm always amused by the stern, "I know better than you" type of posts we get when drugs are involved.
First, I'm glad they enforced the law. I hate when people don't enforce a law they don't like rather do the work to get it changed.
Second, when having this discussion with a friend, we decided that, to be consistant, Dr. Pepper should be illegal as well.
Dr. Pepper is addictive. (Caffine) I've tried to stop many times but alway come back to it.
Dr. Pepper has no good properties. Not a lot a vitamins & minerals etc.
Dr. Pepper is very bad for you if abused. The pure sugar will make you overweight taking years off your life. The sugar will also increase your chances of getting diabeates.
So, if DP is addictive, has no good properties and many bad ones that will kill you why is it different than weed or cocaine?
Please think BEFORE you answer.
Why is it (Dr. Pepper) different than weed or cocaine?
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I'm guessing that Dr Pepper has never caused people to hallucinate; to go on violent crime sprees; to become physically abusive to others; to rob or steal to continue using it; etc. Comparing caffeine to marijuana/cocaine/meth/etc makes no sense. Nice try though - I see where you were trying to go with it.
OK Everybody, better listen up! Narcotics, i.e. (Oxycodone)(Extra Stength "ES" Vicodin)(Fentanyl)(Methadone)(Tylox)(Oxycontin)(Percocet)(Morphine) or just plain called prescribed pain pills/medicine. The more you take for pain, the more you want or your pain needs. Pain Clinics call that the Rebound Effect due to addiction. Pain killers numb the pain receptors in ones nerves along the spinal and brain system, but they really don't kill or even eliminate the pain. Fentanyl is or was the strongest pain killer that can be scripted, short of Morphine self injectors. Fentanyl is considered legalized Heroin in the medical community. Trust me, they really do not kill the pain, and talk about De-Tox? Well lets just say I know what it is like to go thru hell, during de-tox.
Legalize Pot for people in pain? It won't turn down the pain, but what it will do is give the patient the sense of who cares about the pain, just like Morphine and all the aboved mentioned narcotics, it makes one feel OK about the pain. One good point about Pot, it is not addictive, no cold chills, or the feeling of a hot knife blade being scraped along your bones, no vomitting, or severe mood swings, suicide thoughts, none of these things at all. The primary reason pot is not legal in most states for pain management is the common knowledge it is cheap to provide, and all the big narcodic makers would lose vertually billions and billions of dollars. But I do hope I am still around when it does become legal for medical pain management. Perhaps then my body and soul can finally get clean again. 20 plus years is a very long time taking the poisons I have been scripted for from professional Doctors. Just thought I would pass on my thoughts with all the other first hand knowledge keyboard experts out there. LMPD keep up the good work. Kudos to the Narc squad.