The State - News from Sept. 23, 1985

Police helicopter spy flights over suspected rural Northern California marijuana fields have been halted by a new federal court hearing into protests by residents. The hearing has effectively halted the state’s campaign against illegal marijuana growers because all helicopter pilots and other key personnel have been called to testify, Deputy Atty. Gen. Thomas Dove said. It comes at a critical time when the illegal marijuana fields are being harvested, Dove complained. Some residents accused police of buzzing them with low-level helicopter flights, invading their right to privacy. They are seeking $100 million in damages. U.S. District Judge Robert Aguilar in San Francisco issued an order in April limiting the use of helicopters in the state’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP). On the basis of more complaints, he reopened the issue.