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War on Drugs

VID: Officers Spend Year Busting Ginseng Diggers

Ted Balaker | 10.18.2014 7:00 PM

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Originally posted Oct. 17, 2014. Text is below:

What's worthy of a yearlong investigation involving 15 officers? Tracking down a serial killer? Busting a human trafficking ring? How about arresting ginseng diggers?

State officers in West Virginia proudly posed next to 190 pounds of the seized root, which is coveted in Asia for its purported healing qualities. Cops also came across $30,000 in cash, which was funneled into law enforcement coffers.

Eleven men were arrested for shoveling up out-of-season ginseng. First-time offenders face fines, and repeat offenders could spend up to six months behind bars.

In other West Virginia news, criminals wanted for child porn, sexual assault, andmalicious wounding are still at large.

1 minute, 48 seconds.

Follow the show on Twitter (@DontCops), and submit your nominees for next month.

"Don't Cops Have Better Things to Do?" is written and directed by Ted Balaker (@tedbalaker). Produced and edited by Matt Edwards (@MattChrisEd). Music byaudionautix.com and "The Contessa" is by Maurice and the Beejays (Magnatune Records).

To watch previous episodes, go here.

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NEXT: South Park Highlights Ride-Share Debate with 'Handicar'

Ted Balaker produced the Nanny of the Month and Don't Cops Have Better Things to Do? series for Reason TV, and is co-founder of Korchula Productions, a film and new media production company.

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