News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2005

DEA Seizes Approximately 800 Marijuana Plants, Weapons in
Sacramento Raid

800 marijuana plants like the one shown here were seized in the raid.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California, announced today the arrest of one suspected drug trafficker and the seizure of approximately 800 marijuana plants, one loaded handgun and one loaded assault pistol.

This is the culmination of a four-month investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office. The investigation focused on violations of operating an unlicensed business by Alternative Specialties, a marijuana distribution center, located on Folsom Blvd., in Sacramento, CA. The business is operated by Louis Wayne Fowler, 51, of Rio Linda, CA. Fowler had previously applied for a business license in Sacramento County, but his request was denied by local authorities.

On July 7, 2005, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Detectives served California State authorized search warrants at four locations in the Sacramento area, including Alternative Specialties. At these locations law enforcement discovered evidence of federal drug violations and DEA was contacted to assist in the investigation. DEA subsequently served two federal search warrants, where two indoor marijuana growing operations were found and agents seized approximately 800 plants. DEA estimates the value of these plants to be approximately $500,000.

As a result, Louis Wayne Fowler was arrested. At the time of his arrest Fowler was in possession of one loaded handgun and one loaded assault pistol. Fowler was booked into Sacramento County Jail on state charges of felon in possession of a firearm.

DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gordon Taylor stated “This case exemplifies what DEA continues to see in Northern California - drug traffickers cultivating large amounts of marijuana and claiming ‘medicinal marijuana,’ and in this instance the trafficker was armed with two guns at the time of his arrest. The cultivation and distribution of marijuana remains illegal under Federal Drug Statutes. DEA remains committed to working with local law enforcement to protect and serve the residents of this area.”

This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California. Fowler is charged with violation of 21 U.S.C. Section 841 (a) 1 – manufacture of a controlled substance, violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 924 – possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) - felon in possession of a firearm.

Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven otherwise.

For further information please contact DEA Special Agent Casey McEnry at (415) 436-7994.