Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
It is estimated that illegal, outdoor marijuana sites, on private property alone, are expending up to 3 million gallons of water a day. According to Sheriff Lopey, “I would also like to remind my fellow citizens that we are not seeking enforcement against legitimate medical marijuana users or recreational growers in compliance with recently-passed Proposition 64, as long as those citizens comply with the law. Under Prop 64 or the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, recreational adult users of cannabis may possess up to six plants and 28.5 grams of processed marijuana.”
Another task force, the California Department of Justice-led North State Major Investigation Team, a regional team working with the United States Forest Service and other federal, state, and local agencies, is tasked with curtailing illegal marijuana grow sites on public lands.
NSMIT, including a detective sergeant from SCSO, is investigating illicit cannabis cultivation sites on public land (mostly USFS) areas of Siskiyou County and additional counter-drug enforcement operations are planned in the near future.
NSMIT also detected hazardous chemicals that threaten the environment in public land grows during their productive 2016 enforcement season.
The team worked with the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting, a federal, state, and local team that conducted a series of drug raids in public land areas within the last month and most recently, remote areas of the Klamath National Forest.
To date, approximately 106,061 illegal cannabis plants have been eradicated and several arrests made. The plants seized, based on a three pound yield, could have resulted in about $1,272,732,000 in illicit retail drug proceeds on the streets.
NSMIT has seized 5,650 pounds of processed cannabis and 10 suspects have been arrested. The 5,650 pounds of processed cannabis prepared for sale can garner about $22.5 million on the retail drug market.
Recently, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to again approve and extend a proclamation declaring a “local state of emergency” in Siskiyou County due to the overwhelming number of illegal cannabis cultivation sites in the county on public and private properties, which present significant public health, safety, and environmental dangers to the county and its citizens.
According to Sheriff Lopey, “This proclamation and support from state agencies has already resulted in increased interest in the illicit drug trade in Siskiyou County. Since the proclamation, we have received increased and vital support for the eradication of illicit cannabis plants on private property from the California Army National Guard’s counter drug unit, assistance has been received from the local and Northern Division offices of the California Highway Patrol, and CAL FIRE law enforcement has provided some support.
“Additionally assistance has been provided by the California Department of Justice through the SUMIT and NSMIT drug task forces. DEA has also provided additional support. There are also other state agencies assisting with our water truck and illegal drug trade organizations. Recently, state officials advised me that our proclamation is still under consideration at the state level. Along with Board of Supervisors’ support, Senator Gaines and Assemblyman Dahle have sent letters to Governor Brown, strongly supporting our request for additional support and proclamation of a ‘local state of emergency.’
“With emergency operations still ongoing in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, and Solano Counties, it is reasonable to conclude our request will take more time to review and approve. We are fortunate that we have overwhelming local, state, and federal elected representatives that support our efforts 100 percent. We are attempting to stop lawlessness, preserve our environment, protect our most vulnerable populations such as children and teenagers, and we are honoring the countless calls for help from our citizens reporting numerous ‘quality of life’ issues impacting them in our county.”
Sergeant Jeremiah LaRue added, “Anyone with information about an illegal marijuana cultivation site is urged to contact the SCSO’s 24-hour Dispatch Center at (530) 841-2900. Citizens may also contact the Siskiyou County Planning Department (Community Development) to report suspected ordinance violations related to non-permitted structures, septic tanks, well issues, trash, fencing, and similar ordinance violations at (530) 841-2100.
“Citizens with information about illicit drug activities that are non-cannabis related such as methamphetamine, heroin or other illicit drugs are urged to contact SUMIT at (530) 842-8374, or the SCSO 24-hour Dispatch Center. In partnership with the Siskiyou County Department of Health and Human Services, a youth anti-drug and safety program (DARE) will resume this fall in targeted schools to further educate our children about the dangers associated with illicit drug, tobacco, and alcohol use.
“The program also discusses other topics such as bullying and how to fight back against the exploitation and abuse of children and how to identify and report such inappropriate behaviors to the proper authorities. A highly-qualified former police sergeant has been hired as a reserve deputy to fulfill this important role.”
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Over 100,000 cannabis plants seized on public lands in Siskiyou County thus far - News - Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA - Yreka, CA
Contact: Contact - Yreka, CA - Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA
Photo Credit: Luke Sharrett
Website: Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Yreka, CA
Another task force, the California Department of Justice-led North State Major Investigation Team, a regional team working with the United States Forest Service and other federal, state, and local agencies, is tasked with curtailing illegal marijuana grow sites on public lands.
NSMIT, including a detective sergeant from SCSO, is investigating illicit cannabis cultivation sites on public land (mostly USFS) areas of Siskiyou County and additional counter-drug enforcement operations are planned in the near future.
NSMIT also detected hazardous chemicals that threaten the environment in public land grows during their productive 2016 enforcement season.
The team worked with the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting, a federal, state, and local team that conducted a series of drug raids in public land areas within the last month and most recently, remote areas of the Klamath National Forest.
To date, approximately 106,061 illegal cannabis plants have been eradicated and several arrests made. The plants seized, based on a three pound yield, could have resulted in about $1,272,732,000 in illicit retail drug proceeds on the streets.
NSMIT has seized 5,650 pounds of processed cannabis and 10 suspects have been arrested. The 5,650 pounds of processed cannabis prepared for sale can garner about $22.5 million on the retail drug market.
Recently, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to again approve and extend a proclamation declaring a “local state of emergency” in Siskiyou County due to the overwhelming number of illegal cannabis cultivation sites in the county on public and private properties, which present significant public health, safety, and environmental dangers to the county and its citizens.
According to Sheriff Lopey, “This proclamation and support from state agencies has already resulted in increased interest in the illicit drug trade in Siskiyou County. Since the proclamation, we have received increased and vital support for the eradication of illicit cannabis plants on private property from the California Army National Guard’s counter drug unit, assistance has been received from the local and Northern Division offices of the California Highway Patrol, and CAL FIRE law enforcement has provided some support.
“Additionally assistance has been provided by the California Department of Justice through the SUMIT and NSMIT drug task forces. DEA has also provided additional support. There are also other state agencies assisting with our water truck and illegal drug trade organizations. Recently, state officials advised me that our proclamation is still under consideration at the state level. Along with Board of Supervisors’ support, Senator Gaines and Assemblyman Dahle have sent letters to Governor Brown, strongly supporting our request for additional support and proclamation of a ‘local state of emergency.’
“With emergency operations still ongoing in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, and Solano Counties, it is reasonable to conclude our request will take more time to review and approve. We are fortunate that we have overwhelming local, state, and federal elected representatives that support our efforts 100 percent. We are attempting to stop lawlessness, preserve our environment, protect our most vulnerable populations such as children and teenagers, and we are honoring the countless calls for help from our citizens reporting numerous ‘quality of life’ issues impacting them in our county.”
Sergeant Jeremiah LaRue added, “Anyone with information about an illegal marijuana cultivation site is urged to contact the SCSO’s 24-hour Dispatch Center at (530) 841-2900. Citizens may also contact the Siskiyou County Planning Department (Community Development) to report suspected ordinance violations related to non-permitted structures, septic tanks, well issues, trash, fencing, and similar ordinance violations at (530) 841-2100.
“Citizens with information about illicit drug activities that are non-cannabis related such as methamphetamine, heroin or other illicit drugs are urged to contact SUMIT at (530) 842-8374, or the SCSO 24-hour Dispatch Center. In partnership with the Siskiyou County Department of Health and Human Services, a youth anti-drug and safety program (DARE) will resume this fall in targeted schools to further educate our children about the dangers associated with illicit drug, tobacco, and alcohol use.
“The program also discusses other topics such as bullying and how to fight back against the exploitation and abuse of children and how to identify and report such inappropriate behaviors to the proper authorities. A highly-qualified former police sergeant has been hired as a reserve deputy to fulfill this important role.”
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Over 100,000 cannabis plants seized on public lands in Siskiyou County thus far - News - Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA - Yreka, CA
Contact: Contact - Yreka, CA - Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA
Photo Credit: Luke Sharrett
Website: Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Yreka, CA
