Courtesy Photo | A multi-agency team supporting Operation Trident, a large-scale marijuana eradication...... read more read more
FRESNO, Calif. - The California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force joined with more than 21 federal, state and local agencies in July for an operation focusing on the eradication of illegally grown marijuana on public land, restoration of the grow sites and education of local youth about making positive life choices and living a drug free lifestyle in Central California.
Drug growing and trafficking operations in Fresno, Tulare and Madera counties were the focus of Operation Trident.
“Drug traffickers who operate large marijuana grows on public lands in the Sierra foothills despoil the environment and pose a safety threat to hikers, campers, and others who use our parks and national forests,” U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said.
The plants, which can be more than 6 feet tall, are watered through elaborate drip systems running through the grow sites like complex spider webs.
“The water is often stolen from local streams and diverted to the gardens via miles of black irrigation line,” a Fresno County Sheriff on the reclamation team said. “At many sites, large water reservoirs are dug in and sealed with tarps.”
Drug trafficking organizations cultivate the marijuana plants using growth stimulants, insecticides and concentrated fertilizer.
“They decimated the land,” said a Special Event Tactical Team leader from the National Park Service. “The growers clear-cut the underbrush and dug larges holes for the plants. They surrounded the gardens with barbed wire to keep the animals out. We’ve seen large amounts of fertilizer, pesticides and evidence of poaching. In today’s eradication we even rescued an emaciated dog.”
A member of the Counterdrug Task Force's ground tactical team said it’s necessary to tear down the illegal grower’s infrastructure to deter drug trafficking organizations from re-establishing their operations. The process also restores the land to its natural state.
The multi-agency teams work to clear the marijuana plants, remove thousands of pounds of toxic fertilizers, trash, and miles of makeshift irrigation systems. But the danger posed is not only to California’s watershed and wildlife.
“Operation Trident is focused on armed drug smugglers who bring with them the dangers and violence associated with drug trafficking,” said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims. “We must work with our state and federal partners because these organized crime organizations don’t just grow marijuana on our public lands. They continue their criminal conduct during the off season with other illegal drug and violent activities in our local communities.”
To combat the pervasive effect illegal drugs have on Californians, the California National Guard’s role extends beyond the mountain terrain and reaches to the nearby communities. The Counterdrug Task Force Drug Demand Reduction team spent the month interacting with local youth and providing them with education, opportunity and guidance in the tri-county area.
A primary focus of the Counterdrug Task Force is the prevention of illicit drug use.
“Our program complements the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s prevention strategy by providing youth-based educational activities designed to reduce ‘first time use’ of illicit drugs,” said Chief Warrant Officer Michael Payne, Drug Demand Reduction officer in charge. “We provide education to parents, teachers, and community leaders.”
Operation Trident resulted in more than 100 arrests and the seizure of nearly a half a million marijuana plants with a street value of approximately $1.7 billion.
“I am proud of the men and women of the California National Guard.” said Brig. Gen. Mary J. Kight, California National Guard adjutant general. “The efforts they have made during Operation Trident have proven again, the ability of the California National Guard to work hand in hand with other agencies throughout the State, to rid our National Forest of illegal marijuana, restore the damaged forestland and perhaps most importantly to educate and positively influence the youth of our great state.”
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2014 15:43 |
| Story ID: | 141844 |
| Location: | FRESNO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 130 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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