Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jan 2003
Source: Courier-Journal, The (KY)
Copyright: 2003 The Courier-Journal
Contact:  http://www.courier-journal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/97
Author: Alan Maimon

17 INDICTED IN E. KENTUCKY MARIJUANA ROUNDUP

LONDON, Ky. -- A major marijuana roundup in Eastern Kentucky resulted in 
federal indictments of 17 people accused of cultivating nearly 4,000 plants.

U.S. Attorney Greg Van Tatenhove of the Eastern District of Kentucky said 
the joint federal, state and local investigations announced yesterday show 
authorities are serious about cracking down on the "most widely used 
illicit drug in America."

"We're still in the midst of the battle," Van Tatenhove said at a news 
conference on the indictments.

The two-day roundup of suspects that ended yesterday resulted in nine drug 
busts in seven counties -- Breathitt, Knott, Knox, Pulaski, Rockcastle, 
Wayne and Whitley. Some of the marijuana was cultivated indoors, Van 
Tatenhove said.

The largest bust netted more than 1,300 plants in Knox County. Van 
Tatenhove said the plants were grown between April and September.

The defendants each face up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine if 
convicted of manufacturing in excess of 100 marijuana plants.

The announcement yesterday was made at the London headquarters for the 
Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area office, a federal and state 
task force that battles illegal drug trafficking in the region.

Frank Rapier, deputy director of the task force, said the confiscated 
plants weighed a total of 176 pounds and had a total value of between 
$350,000 and $500,000.

Van Tatenhove said marijuana use has become an epidemic in Eastern 
Kentucky, although it receives less attention than prescription-drug abuse 
and methamphetamine use.

At a drug summit in Paintsville in November, Tom Manzi, a Drug Enforcement 
Administration supervisor who works with Kentucky on drug issues, said 
abuse of prescription drugs -- including OxyContin, Tylox and Vicadin -- 
remains the "most serious drug threat in Eastern Kentucky."

But Van Tatenhove, citing national statistics, said 62 percent of drug 
addicts are marijuana abusers.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, marijuana is the leading 
cash crop in Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee. The states comprise 
only 4 percent of the U.S. population but produce 28 percent of the 
nation's marijuana.

The federal agency eradicated 700,000 marijuana plants in Kentucky last year.

Rapier said much of the marijuana grown in the region is sent to other 
parts of the country. "Not all of it is being used here, but it's still 
very startling," he said.

Van Tatenhove said Eastern Kentucky continues to have a "particularly 
egregious problem" with marijuana.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom