Posted on 07/28/2009 8:42:40 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Shasta-Trinity National Forest - --
Mexican drug traffickers have expanded their marijuana-growing operations in California parks as state and local governments have tightened spending and slashed jobs and services.
Law enforcement officials say the traffickers, taking advantage of the fact that there are fewer sheriff's deputies and rangers monitoring parks, are cultivating more pot than ever before. This year's multibillion-dollar crop is on pace to be the largest in history, said state officials.
"It's a huge problem," said Gordon Taylor, the assistant special agent in charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. "California is ground zero for domestic marijuana cultivation in the country."
The illicit crops are believed to be hidden on ridges and in gullies in California's 31 million acres of forest, with most being grown in state and national parks.
So far this year, more than a million plants have been seized by the state's Campaign Against Marijuana Planting, or CAMP program, according to Michelle Gregory, the spokeswoman for the California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, and the pot-growing season is not even half over.
"Our whole state is overrun," Gregory said. "It's an epidemic."
Much of the cannabis grown in California is being exported around the country, into Mexico and overseas. One batch recently harvested in Shasta County was tracked by drug enforcement agents to Chicago and South Carolina.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
These are decent, salt of the earth types that we are forcing into lives of crime because we won’t let them pay taxes on drugs that they produce and market.
I can tell you, when your up in the mountains off roading, fishing, hiking,
don’t venture off the beaten path to far. Law enforcement has a hard time
locating these Pot farms, your body will be harder to find.
Response: Another aspect of the invasion and conquest of America.
I suppose it stands to reason that if we cannot control our borders, then we cannot control what goes on within our borders.
I have to wonder about people who continue to buy pot even though they know the money is going to violent criminals. Since none of them admit to being addicted, they should be able to quit at any time.
“”Our whole state is overrun,” Gregory said. “It’s an epidemic.””
It’s a freakin’ invasion of narco terror! These are the most dangerous of Mexico’s armed drug cartels, and no one cares, NormsRevenge. And our little sheriff offices can’t stop them. This thread won’t get more than a dozen hits.
“I suppose it stands to reason that if we cannot control our borders, then we cannot control what goes on within our borders.”
That’s the plan! And it’s working perfectly.
Oh PLEASE!!! We aren't FORCING anyone into doing ANYTHING....Those people are ILLEGALLY (that means against the law) growing and distributing a controlled substance. Dont make them out to be heros......Just because you probably smoke pot, dont be making excusing and blaming the LAW for the illegality of the lawbreakers.
I was being sarcastic, these little dope pusher angels would probably be still be doing what they are doing even if we did charge a huge “sin” tax on what ever drug they are making and pushing.
When it is a ca$h crop and being exported to other continents and then used to gradually erode away the very nation that growed it,, then the narcoterrorists have won, it would seem.
I feel for all those sworn to uphold the law.
as to how many hits this thread gets, I hear ya.. Oh well.
And more than likely the government will let this problem continue then call it a crisis and presto once again another reason to raise taxes!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.