Marijuana probe a big boo-boo for cops

Chicago Sun Times

BEL AIRE, Kan. -- The police thought they'd found marijuana plants growing in a former mayor's backyard. They took pictures, got a search warrant and went back for a closer look.

They found sunflowers.

Harold and Carolyn Smith had grown the plants from seeds given to them by their son, a wildlife biologist.

Kansas is known as the Sunflower State -- which made the error even more baffling, the Smiths' attorney said.

''That plant on our state flag is not a marijuana plant, but a sunflower,'' said attorney Dan Monnat.

During the search, Monnat said, at least 10 officers went through the Smiths' house, checking drawers and closets and videotaping everything.

The couple is wondering how such a mistake could happen.

''These are very community-oriented people who have been active in their community affairs for years,'' Monnat said.