Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jan 2006
Source: Indian Country Today (US)
Copyright: 2006 Indian Country Today
Contact:  http://www.indiancountry.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1028
Author: Gale Courey Toensing, Indian Country Today
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

BIA AGENTS SIEZE 30 TONS OF MARIJUANA

WASHINGTON - Two BIA special agents have been recognized by the White
House Office of National Drug Control Policy for their work in
eradicating a major marijuana cultivation project on the Yakama
reservation in Washington state.

None of the suspects arrested in the investigation were Yakama tribal
members, according to the press release from the BIA.

Special Agents Craig Janis and Mario Redlegs, of the BIA's Office of
Law Enforcement Services, were presented with awards at a White House
ceremony Jan. 19.

Janis, 34, is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of Pine Ridge, S.D.
Redlegs, 38, is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of Fort Yates, N.D.

The eradication effort took place last year. The crop, or "grow,"
consisted of 60,500 mature plants weighing a total of around 30 tons
with an estimated value of $35 million. It was the biggest bust in
Washington state history and the fourth largest in U.S. history,
according to the BIA.

The investigation into marijuana cultivation on the Yakama reservation
began in August 2004 by the BIA's Division of Special Investigations
Drug Enforcement Section. Redlegs and Janis were part of a
multi-agency effort led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Yakama
Resident Office, and included personnel from the Yakama Nation Tribal
Police, the local multi-jurisdictional Law Enforcement Against Drugs
Task Force, Klickitat County Sheriff's Department and the state
National Guard.

Redlegs and Janis hiked over tough terrain in adverse weather
conditions, locating numerous camp sites and collecting crucial
initial evidence that led to several arrests. Although the number of
arrests was not revealed, the BIA said none of those arrested were
Yakama tribal members.

"This is only one example of how BIA officers work
shoulder-to-shoulder with other federal, tribal and local law
enforcement offices and agencies. Special Agents Redlegs and Janis
exemplify the hard work, dedication and professionalism that are
expected of BIA law enforcement personnel," said OLES Director
Christopher Chaney.

The OLES carries out its mission to improve law enforcement services
and preserve public safety in Indian country through six district
offices. The office funds and/or trains more than 170 tribally
operated police departments, directly operates 31 police departments,
funds an additional 59 tribally operated detention facilities and
directly operates 22 detention facilities across the country. It
coordinates homeland security support on federal Indian lands, works
cooperatively with other federal and local law enforcement agencies in
Indian country, and provides training and professional development
through the Indian Police Academy in Artesia, N.M.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake