Friday Funny: An 'Alternative' Path To The American Dream

A local police call in Port St. Lucie Florida reporting one man chasing another with a machete led to a multi-state federal investigation of a sophisticated ring that recruited marijuana growers with the promise of free home financing.

2 minute read

September 29, 2006, 2:00 PM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


Potential home buyers were lured to one of the fastest growing cities in the United States with the promise of free financing on a home in their name, and most expenses paid for two years. The only catch was a 'live-work' arrangement -- the potential home buyer had to agree to spend the two years growing, harvesting and packaging marijuana for sale. Under the agreement, homeowners had to harvest crops two to four times a year and would receive $1,000 for each plant, while the organizers kept the rest of the profit. After two years, the homeowners could decide to continue, or could sell the house and keep 50% of the profits of the home sale.

A business in New Jersey financed the operation, but R. Alexander Acosta, the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida would not name the company and declined to comment on mob ties. Thirty-five people have been charged. Four of the 27 who are in custody are being held in New Jersey. Acosta indicated that this was just the beginning.

Port St. Lucie Chief of Police John Skinner said that since police raided the first house in May, there have been 82 search warrants leading to 59 alleged grow houses. The Chief felt that police had made a dent in local operations and grow house discoveries had 'peaked', he said there could still be more. The city's enormous growth may have been a factor in why Port St. Lucie was chosen as a home base. Skinner said many of those arrested were friendly and cooperative. "They know they were wrong," he said. "They were looking for part of the American dream, but they took a shortcut."

Thanks to Sheryl Stolzenberg

Thursday, September 21, 2006 in TCPalm

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight