Pubdate: Thu, 7 Aug 2008
Source: Santa Ynez Valley Journal (CA)
Copyright: 2008 Santa Ynez Valley Journal
Contact:  http://www.santaynezvalleyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4847
Author: Robert Perry
Photos: Marijuana plants 
http://www.mapinc.org/images/marijuanafield.jpg 
http://www.mapinc.org/images/marijuanaplant.jpg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/marijuana+eradication

MARIJUANA ERADICATION

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department's annual marijuana 
eradication effort has begun with the assistance of agents from the 
U.S. Department of Justice Campaign Against Marijuana Production task 
force, and the National Forest Service, according to a statement 
released by the department. About 35 law enforcement personnel 
participated in the destruction of 12 marijuana crops.

A total of nearly 35,000 mature marijuana plants were uprooted in 
three separate locations, all within the Los Padres National Forest. 
The two largest grows were in the Juncal Dam area, three more in the 
wilderness area west of Cachuma Lake, and four grow areas in the Bear 
Canyon area. According to officials at the Drug Enforcement Agency 
(DEA) the street value of the crop was nearly $87.5 million.

Although no arrests were made at the remote locations, evidence 
seized there provided information that pointed to the involvement of 
Mexican nationals. The statement from the sheriff's department noted 
that "Mexican nationals have had an increased presence in illegal 
marijuana cultivation in the United States."

The official statement went on to say that the illegal operations 
threaten the safety of residents and visitors to the National Forest. 
Grow operations are known to have been booby-trapped and sometimes 
guarded by growers armed with high-power rifles and automatic weapons.

Visitors to the National Forest are reminded to call authorities if 
unusual activities are witnessed including people carrying irrigation 
tubing, packing in large amounts of food, or the same vehicle parked 
in the same place multiple times per week. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake