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Pot Aerial Surveillance Case Goes To NM High Court

The state Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in the case of northern New Mexico man who claims his privacy rights were violated after a flyover prompted a ground search. That search turned up more than a dozen marijuana plants on his remote property.

The outcome of the case could affect the ability of law enforcement agencies to use drones and other means of aerial surveillance.

The home of Norman Davis, now 79, in the Carson area of Taos County was checked during a 2006 joint operation of New Mexico State Police, National Guard and state Game and Fish. Authorities were looking for pot-growing operations.

A search was conducted with Davis' reluctant consent after a spotter in a helicopter saw vegetation in Davis' greenhouse and plants outside.

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