June 9, 2000
If you hike in the mountains of Utah, police would like your help in spotting marijuana gardens.
From now until September is the best time to spot illegal cultivation of the plant.
Here's a report from Crime Specialist Karen Scullin.
It was the biggest marijuana grow in Utah history. Thousands of plants in a rural area North of Ogden found last year.
But discovering the grow is just the beginning. Eradication is the rest.
This training mission involving undercover investigators has team members navigating
through tough terrain for several hours looking
for the marijuana garden while another group acts as cover.
Everyone watches for booby traps, and tries not to be seen or
shot by the suspects. Crews would face the same challenges in a real-life eradication mission.
Don Mendrala/D.E.A.: WE KNOW A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE NOW ARE ARMED. AND WE KNOW A LOT OF THESE GARDENS ARE BOOBY TRAPPED. NOT NECESSARILY BOMBS, BUT WITH DITCHES, WITH WIRES WITH FISH HOOKS ON THEM, THINGS LIKE THAT.
But keep in mind the majority of grows are discovered by hikers or hunters who either smell, or simply recognize the bright green leaves.
Police usually respond to about 30 to 40grows a year called in by hikers. But they admit, there are probably a lot more out there than anyone ever finds.
Don Mendrala: WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS INFORMATION. IF THEY CAN TELL US WHERE IT IS OR ROUGHLY HOW THEY GOT THERE THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH. AND IF THEY JUST GIVE US A CALL WE'LL TAKE IT FROM THERE.
And Mendrala strongly recommends if hikers spot a suspect, to turn around and run.
Don Mendrala: SO IF ANYONE EVEN THINKS THEY FOUND ONE OF THESE THEY SHOULD BACK OFF IMMEDIATELY AND CALL THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
If you find marijuana growing
call this hotline.
It's 1-877-POT FIND
1- 877- 768-3463
There are cash rewards available if you do find a marijuana patch.
