Authorities conducting a raid Tuesday on a Northern California marijuana farm got an unexpected surprise when they found Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl on the property.
Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allan told the Anderson Valley Advertiser newspaper that a drug task force came across Bergdahl when raiding a property in Redwood Valley, California. Allan said Bergdahl was “above politeness” and produced his military ID for officers, who determined he was not involved in the marijuana growing operation.
Bergdahl was the last remaining American prisoner of war in Afghanistan until he was freed in May 2014 in exchange for the release of five Taliban detainees held in Guantanamo Bay. He was subsequently charged with desertion for walking off his post in 2009, which led to his capture.
Bergdahl is currently serving desk duty at Texas’ Fort Sam Houston, according to The Army Times. A spokesman for U.S. Army North told the newspaper that Bergdahl was on authorized leave when he visited California and returned on Wednesday afternoon.
“He was not arrested and has returned to his duty station at Fort Sam Houston,” the spokesman, Lt. Col. Jason Shropshire, said. “He has not been charged with any crime involving his time on leave.”
Fox News pundits, who’ve been vocal critics of the so-called “prisoner swap” that brought Bergdahl home, were quick to criticize the soldier for being associated with the raid.
“Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocy suggested Friday that the military drug test Bergdahl.
“Do they give him a drug test when he returns? Shouldn’t they give him a drug test when he returns?” Doocy laughed. “He’s active duty. Remember, he’s protecting us right now.”
“Outnumbered” co-host Andrea Tantaros was more pointed in her criticism:
Bergdahl’s at a pot farm instead of in a prison, and the Taliban 5 are out of prison and running wild. #liberallogic https://t.co/WpESiNjiij
— Andrea Tantaros (@AndreaTantaros) July 24, 2015