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SKOWHEGAN – Marijuana raids this week in Somerset County resulted in 10 arrests and netted 400 pot plants, narcotics, cultivation equipment, 16 firearms and drug-related paraphernalia.
Among those charged Thursday was Don Christen, 54, the state’s most outspoken marijuana activist, and his wife, Pam Christen, 53, both of Madison.
Detective Sgt. Carl Gottardi II of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department said a raid at the Christen’s home Thursday yielded marijuana plants and processed marijuana. He would not provide any specifics, stating that the case remains under investigation. He also would not confirm that marijuana allegedly found growing at the Christen residence was discovered by a surveillance helicopter.
Don Christen was charged with aggravated cultivation of marijuana, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, and violation of bail conditions. He is the founder of Maine Vocals and Hempstock, an annual pro-marijuana festival, and has testified frequently before the Maine Legislature in an attempt to legalize marijuana.
Christen was first charged with felony possession of pot in 1993, and then was charged in 2004 with violating marijuana laws again. At that time, Christen maintained that he was providing marijuana to several patients, including his wife, and his actions were allowed under state law. He lost that case earlier this year and currently was out on bail while appealing his conviction for aggravated trafficking in marijuana.
Gottardi said Christen is being held without bail at Somerset County Jail.
His wife, Pam Christen, was charged with cultivation and trafficking in marijuana.
Detective Sgt. Carl Gottardi II of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department said search warrants were executed in nine towns. Others charged were:
Ralph Smithers, 63, Starks, aggravated furnishing, furnishing, cultivation and possession of drugs.
Linda Smithers, 60, Starks, aggravated furnishing, furnishing, cultivation and possession of marijuana.
Galen Grover, 47, Anson, cultivation and trafficking in marijuana.
Julie Grover, 43, Anson, cultivation and trafficking in marijuana.
Dwayne Brown, 40, West Athens, possession of marijuana.
Carroll Washburn, 42, Madison, cultivation and trafficking in marijuana.
Derek Brown, 22, West Athens, possession of marijuana.
Donald Martin, 52, Anson, cultivation and possession of marijuana.
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