Pubdate: Sat, 05 Jul 2014
Source: Payson Roundup, The (AZ)
Copyright: 2014 The Payson Roundup
Contact:  http://www.paysonroundup.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1523
Author: Michele Nelson

BEWARE OF MARIJUANA GROW SITES IN NATIONAL FORESTS

Not all dangers on Rim Country trails come in the form of four-legged 
critters: The two-legged variety can cause even more trouble than a 
hungry black bear.

The Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigation and Gila County 
Narcotic Task Force would like remote hikers to be aware of the 
potential of marijuana grows. Historically, some have started as 
close as just a mile off of established trails such as the Highline 
Trail or the trails in the southern Mazatzals.

One of the Forest Service and Drug Task Force special agents (he 
asked his name not be used for security reasons) cautioned hikers to 
watch out for empty bags of fertilizer, irrigation tubes or the smell 
of marijuana.

"If you see any of these things, turn around and leave," he said to a 
group of Forest Service volunteers.

The special agent said that after a spike in 2008, marijuana grows 
have started to decline.

In an article about illegal marijuana grows on Forest Service land on 
the Untied States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, officials 
say the forests are safe. (Website: 
http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/09/26/be-prepared-when-visiting-our-national-forests-what-to-do-if-you-encounter-a-marijuana-cultivation-site/)

"The vast majority of the national forests are safe for visitors and 
employees. And while only a fraction of the national forest system is 
affected by illegal marijuana cultivation, drug growers connected to 
organized crime are active in the nation's national forests and it's 
important for your safety to be aware of your surroundings," wrote the USDA.

Grow sites are usually found in isolated locations, in rough steep 
terrain (typically between 500 to 5,500 feet elevation.) The national 
department gave this list of things to look for on its website:

* The smell of marijuana, especially on hot days, is like a skunk.

* Hoses or drip lines located in unusual or unexpected places.

* A well-used trail where there shouldn't be one.

* Voices coming from an unusual place.

* People standing along roads without vehicles present, or in areas 
where loitering appears unusual.

* Camps containing cooking and sleeping areas with food, fertilizer, 
weapons, garbage, rat poison and/or dead animals.

* Small propane bottles (so that the grower avoids detection of wood smoke.)

* Individuals armed with rifles out of hunting season.

The local agent agreed, telling the room full of Rim Country Forest 
Service volunteers to take any signs of a grow site seriously.

Several of the volunteers also participate in the Payson Packers 
hiking club. One hiker said the group had seen an irrigation tube on 
one hike in the southern Mazatzals and laughed about it, thinking 
hippies had decided to go out and grow a crop.

The agent said the next time, leave quickly.

Both the USDA and the local agent said it would help the Forest 
Service and law enforcement if hikers who call in a marijuana grow 
site can identify a landmark, or better yet, record a GPS coordinate 
of the site.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom