National Forest Visitors Advised To Watch Out For Illegal Marijuana Gardens

News Release

US Forest Service
Mendocino National Forest

Public Affairs Officer
Phebe Brown
Phone: (530) 934-1137
Fax: (530) 934-7384
Email: pybrown@fs.fed.us

Willows, May 13, 2008 - Nearly a quarter million illegal marijuana plants were seized on the Mendocino National Forest last year and the prime growing period is now beginning, prompting national forest officials to advise the public to be especially vigilant when visiting the forest.

"We want the public to be aware that this illegal activity and occupation is taking place if they encounter marijuana gardens on the national forest," Tom Contreras, Forest Supervisor, said.

Illegal marijuana growing is an increasing problem on public lands in California. National Forest System lands are becoming increasingly used for growing and harvesting illegal marijuana gardens and these operations can potentially present a safety hazard to forest visitors and employees.

Most of the marijuana gardens are in remote locations. The national forest has vast and mostly uninhabited lands with many areas of rich, fertile soil and a climate that provides the necessary conditions for growing marijuana. Plants are put into the ground between May and June and harvested in late September through November.

"If a private citizen comes upon something suspicious, don't enter the area; just leave and notify local law enforcement authorities immediately," Julie Lombard, Forest Service Law Enforcement Patrol Captain, advised. "Do not enter any garden area."

Last year, law enforcement personnel seized 220,359 marijuana plants from the Mendocino National Forest. In 2006 the law enforcement team eradicated 405,399 marijuana plants from 55 illegal marijuana sites on the forest. More marijuana was taken by this team than any other group anywhere in the Forest Service in 2006.

In addition to the criminal activity associated with the marijuana gardens, there is substantial environmental degradation caused by the illegal growers. Herbicides and pesticides used to remove competing vegetation and gnawing rodents (which are a food source for the northern spotted owls), human waste and garbage, all end up in rivers after winter rains. Also, the irrigation systems dewater small streams needed by fish, and compacts the soil in the gardens, leading to erosion.

The typical marijuana garden has changed from the late 1980s and early 90s. During that time the typical operation had 100 to 1,000 plants. These days, operations are far larger, ranging in size from 1,000 to 30,000 plants, or more. The larger growing operations often have armed individuals tending the gardens, Lombard said.

"Most of the increase can be attributed to the proliferation of foreign Drug Trafficking Organizations," Lombard said.

Forest Service law enforcement officers work with County Sheriff's Departments, California National Guard, and Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) teams. Headed by the Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, CAMP teams were created in 1983 for the primary purpose of eradicating illegal marijuana from public lands in California.

Growers can live in the Forest near these sites for months at a time. Officers have come across these illegal camps with exercise facilities, tree houses, barbed wire fences and numerous firearms, Lombard said. These camps often contain cooking and sleeping areas which are within view of the cultivation site. Some camps have tents, hammocks and sleeping bags on the ground and have been found with large overhanging tarps as cover for the entire campsite.

There are some things to watch for which may indicate marijuana is being grown in an area. They can include:

• Isolated tents in the forest where no recreational activity is present.
• The utilization of trailers with no evidence of recreational activities.
• A pattern of vehicular traffic or a particular vehicle seen in the same isolated area on a regular basis.
• Unusual structures located in remote forested areas, with buckets, garden tools, fertilizer bags, etc.
• Signs of cultivation or soil disturbance in unlikely areas.
• Black piping and trash scattered in forested areas.

For additional information or to notify law enforcement authorities of a suspected garden area in the Mendocino National Forest, please contact Forest Service Law Enforcement at (530) 934-3316.

Fear & Intimidation puts neighbors in bad situation

You may only use this letter if I am allowed to remain anonymous.

One of the growers in my area is believed to be a part of an organized group of growers. More simply put organized crime. I fear for the safety of myself and my family if our name and location were given out.

Dear Friends,

In the past three days my wife and I have gone on two short hikes. Each time we came back angry, frustrated and upset. In both cases on our walks we discovered on neighboring properties to ours that they were putting in large pot gardens.

These two new growers are an addition to the two commercial grow houses we already have on our road. Personally I don't really care much if someone wants to grow some plants for their own personal use. That's their choice as long as they don't go driving their car or operate some machinery and kill someone else.

I understand the need for some people to smoke marijuana legally for medical reasons. They have a need and a right to grow small quantities of marijuana. These large growers on the other hand have no altruistic reason for growing pot other than just plain greed. It just really bothers us because these people are only doing it for the money. In growing such big gardens they feel they have to protect them.

One of the growers got a really nasty dog. The other has placed no trespassing signs all around and you feel pretty unwelcome walking past their property. Then there is the fact that other people will come in the fall to try and rob the harvest.

Are we going to get shot at or attacked by their dog. Is our home going to be invaded by mistake? Already two of my other neighbors have had people come to their doors at two o'clock in the morning to buy marijuana.

It is really sad that the beautiful place we moved to years ago has come to this. All we can do is pray that the Lord will protect us from such evil greedy people. It is on Him alone that we have to rely on for guidance and understanding in this situation. Pray for our family,

Anonymous for our safety

Read more Cries for help

Support your neighbors
vote YES on Measure B
June 3rd, 2008

Pine Mountain pot raid linked to Asian gangs

By Linda Williams/TWN Staff Writer

Article Launched: 04/23/2008 11:23:07 AM PDT

An April 16 Pine Mountain pot raid allegedly linked to Fresno-based Asian crime organizations led law enforcement to the discovery of 15.5 pounds of processed bud, 856 marijuana plants and the arrests of two men.

Deputies from the County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team, Mendocino County sheriff's deputies and agents from the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force served the search warrant for a residence on Chinquapin Drive.

The Chinquapin Drive setup was described by officers as a sophisticated indoor grow in a metal outbuilding and garage on a 12.7-acre parcel. The grow room equipment included lights, carbon-filter ventilation systems, carbon dioxide augmentation and dehumidifiers.

Richard Lieng, 25, of Willits, and Tony Lieng, 34, a Vietnamese national with a Clovis address, were arrested at the residence on suspicion of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. The property was purchased by Tony Lieng and Truong Lynn in October 2006.

The search is linked to the previous arrest of a Fresno man in Brooktrails, says Special Agent Robert Nishiyama, of the MMCTF.

Danny Coong Lay, 36, was stopped March 23 with 300 marijuana clones in his car, according to officers. Officers then discovered 321 more marijuana plants in a sophisticated grow inside the Birch Road residence rented by Lay. Lay was then arrested on suspicion of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale and knowingly renting a facility for the commission of a crime.

The grow operations appear to be linked to Asian organized crime groups operating out of Fresno, says Nishiyama. The groups are apparently moving into Mendocino County from the Bay Area and Stockton areas.

Pilotless Drones to Battle Pot Growers

By MATTHEW BROWN – 19 hours ago

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service has bought a pair of flying drones to track down marijuana growers operating in remote California woodlands.

Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey, who oversees the Forest Service, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the pilotless, camera-equipped aircraft will allow law enforcement officers to pinpoint marijuana fields and size up potential dangers before agents attempt arrests.

Rey said there are increasing numbers of marijuana growers financed by Mexican drug cartels using California's forests to stage their operations.

"We're dealing with organized efforts now — not just a couple of hippies living off the land and making some cash on the side," Rey said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C.

The purchase of the two SkySeer drones, for a combined $100,000, reflects rising interest in remote-controlled aircraft among law enforcement, science and other government agencies.

Once used almost exclusively by defense and intelligence agencies, drones are now routinely flown by the Department of Homeland Security to patrol the Mexican border. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hopes to use them on weather missions.

The two Forest Service drones differ from those used by other agencies. They're lighter — less than five pounds apiece — and can fly for only about an hour.

Sold by Octatron of La Verne, Calif., the battery-powered SkySeer can fly at under 30 miles per hour, has a two-mile range and is operated by a two-man crew on the ground, according to the company. One of the drones bought by the Forest Service was equipped with a thermal camera for nighttime flights.

The purchase was disclosed in documents obtained through a freedom of information request filed by the group Public Employees For Environmental Responsibility.

The group's executive director, Jeff Ruch, questioned whether the Forest Service needed the machines. He said the purchase reflected a "boys with toys" mentality within the agency and that manned aircraft flyovers were adequate.

Rey dismissed the criticism. "The fact is, our guys work in remote locations and knowing more about what they're going to confront will make them a lot safer," he said.

More than 2.3 million marijuana plants were eradicated from Forest Service lands nationwide last year, according to figures provided by the office of Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell.

In California's 18 national forests, an estimated 6 million marijuana plants have been removed since 2000. Rey said forests in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains have seen the most activity.

2 arrested in gang assault; searches find indoor grows

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff

Article Last Updated: 04/02/2008 08:41:24 AM PDT

Ukiah Police officers arrested two men Monday in connection with a gang related assault late last month and uncovered two small marijuana gardens.

According to UPD reports, Robert Briseno, 31, and Jesus Martinez, 35, allegedly attacked two men in the parking lot of the Lucky's grocery store on East Perkins Street March 22.

According to police reports, Briseno had seen the victims inside the store earlier and taunted them by referring to them as "scraps" and challenged them to a fight outside.

According to police reports, "scraps" is an insulting term used by Norteño gang members to refer to Sureño gang members.

The two men responded that they were not gang members and Briseno left the store. When the two victims came out, Briseno allegedly attacked them. According to police reports, Martinez saw the fight and joined Briseno in attacking the two men, leaving his 3-year-old child unattended in the parking lot.

After the alleged assault was over, Briseno and Martinez fled the parking lot, according to police reports. Martinez allegedly grabbed the 3-year-old child, flung him into the car and drove off without securing the child or closing the door, according to police reports.

On Monday, officers stopped Martinez in his vehicle in the 600 block of East Perkins Street and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, participation in a criminal street gang, child endangerment and conspiracy.

Officers served a search warrant on Martinez' home and found evidence linking him to the Norteño street gang as well as an indoor marijuana grow of more than 50 plants, according to police reports.

Martinez's children were turned over to Mendocino Child Protective Services.

A second warrant was served on Briseno's apartment on South Oak Street, where officers found evidence linking him to the Norteño street gang and an indoor marijuana grow totaling more than 80 plants, according to police reports.

Both marijuana grows were seized by members of the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force.

While the search warrant was being served, officers found Briseno at work in the 700 block of South State Street and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang.

Both men were booked into the Mendocino County Jail on the above listed charges.

Marijuana raids on Cresta and Riverside

By BEN BROWN The Daily Journal
Article Last Updated: 03/12/2008 08:34:19 AM PDT

Two people, one of them currently under federal indictment, were arrested on drug charges Thursday after neighbors on Cresta Drive complained about the smell.

Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force Commander Bob Nishiyama said officers served a search warrant on the home of Cynthia Nelson at 122 Cresta Drive Thursday and seized 30 mature marijuana plants and 265 smaller "clone" plants.

The 30 mature plants were in one bedroom of the house, while the clones were in a hydroponic setup in another, Nishiyama said. Some of the clone plants were very young, but others had root balls and had been planted in dirt.

"It was a very sophisticated setup," he said.

The Task Force filed for a search warrant on the house because of complaints about the smell of marijuana in the neighborhood, and a PG&E bill that was four times higher than normal.

"The smell, especially at the budding stage, is really strong," Nishiyama said.

The house had belonged to Nelson's mother, who died and left the house to her. Nishiyama said the house was mostly empty except for one room that Nelson rented out.

Based on the evidence from the Cresta Drive home, the Task Force obtained a second search warrant for Nelson's permanent residence on Riverside Drive.

Nishiyama said officers found 30 "mother" plants that he believed Nelson was using to make the clone plants found on Cresta Drive.

Officers also seized 72 grams of hashish, 22.7 grams of psilosybin mushrooms, 700 grams of marijuana and a .45 caliber rifle, Nishiyama said.

Officers also found Rustin Meadows-Paul of Potter Valley at the Riverside Drive home. Paul had been released by federal authorities pending trial on federal drug charges for allegedly growing marijuana in Potter Valley and driving it to Chicago, where it was allegedly sold to organized crime figures.

Nishiyama said Paul allegedly used several different cars to drive the marijuana cross country to sell to organized crime figures, who in turn sold it to street dealers and sometimes allegedly employed dishonest Chicago Police Department officers to steal the drugs back to be sold again.

"Mendocino County marijuana was ending up in Chicago with organized crime," Nishiyama said.

Nelson and Paul are both charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of hashish, possession of psilosybin mushrooms and being armed in commission of a felony. Additionally, Paul was charged with committing a felony while out on bail.

Both Paul and Nelson had medical marijuana recommendations.

Ben Brown can be reached at udjbb@pacific.net.