Mexican Pot Gangs Pollute National Parks

Industrial Sized Grow Sites Are Destroying The Environment In America's Parks And Forests

(AP)  National forests and parks - long popular with Mexican marijuana-growing cartels - have become home to some of the most polluted pockets of wilderness in America because of the toxic chemicals needed to eke lucrative harvests from rocky mountainsides, federal officials said.

The grow sites have taken hold from the West Coast's Cascade Mountains, as well as on federal lands in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Seven hundred grow sites were discovered on U.S. Forest Service land in California alone in 2007 and 2008 - and authorities say the 1,800-square-mile Sequoia National Forest is the hardest hit.

Weed and bug sprays, some long banned in the U.S., have been smuggled to the marijuana farms. Plant growth hormones have been dumped into streams, and the water has then been diverted for miles in PVC pipes.

Rat poison has been sprinkled over the landscape to keep animals away from tender plants. And many sites are strewn with the carcasses of deer and bears poached by workers during the five-month growing season that is now ending.

"What's going on on public lands is a crisis at every level," said Forest Service agent Ron Pugh. "These are America's most precious resources, and they are being devastated by an unprecedented commercial enterprise conducted by armed foreign nationals. It is a huge mess."

The first documented marijuana cartels were discovered in Sequoia National Park in 1998. Then, officials say, tighter border controls after Sept. 11, 2001, forced industrial-scale growers to move their operations into the United States.

Millions of dollars are spent every year to find and uproot marijuana-growing operations on state and federal lands, but federal officials say no money is budgeted to clean up the environmental mess left behind after helicopters carry off the plants. They are encouraged that Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who last year secured funding for eradication, has inquired about the pollution problems.

In the meantime, the only cleanup is done by volunteers. On Tuesday, the nonprofit High Sierra Trail Crew, founded to improve access to public lands, plans to take 30 people deep into the Sequoia National Forest to carry out miles of drip irrigation pipe, tons of human garbage, volatile propane canisters, and bags and bottles of herbicides and pesticides.

"If the people of California knew what was going on out there, they'd be up in arms about this," said Shane Krogen, the nonprofit's executive director. "Helicopters full of dope are like body counts in the Vietnam War. What does it really mean?"

Last year, law enforcement agents uprooted nearly five million plants in California, nearly a half million in Kentucky and 276,000 in Washington state as the development of hybrid plants has expanded the range of climates marijuana can tolerate.

"People light up a joint, and they have no idea the amount of environmental damage associated with it," said Cicely Muldoon, deputy regional director of the Pacific West Region of the National Park Service.

As of Sept. 2, more than 2.2 million plants had been uprooted statewide. The largest single bust in the nation this year netted 482,000 plants in the remote Sierra of Tulare County, the forest service said.

Some popular parks also have suffered damage. In 2007, rangers found more than 20,000 plants in Yosemite National Park and 43,000 plants in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, where 159 grow sites have been discovered over the past 10 years.

Agent Patrick Foy of the California Department of Fish and Game estimated that 1.5 pounds of fertilizers and pesticides is used for every 11.5 plants.

"I've seen the pesticide residue on the plants," Foy said. "You ain't just smoking pot, bud. You're smoking some heavy-duty pesticides from Mexico."

Scott Wanek, the western regional chief ranger for the National Park Service, said he believes the eradication efforts have touched only a small portion of the marijuana farms and that the environmental impact is much greater than anyone knows.

"Think about Sequoia," Wanek said. "The impact goes well beyond the acreage planted. They create huge networks of trail systems, and the chemicals that get into watersheds are potentially very far-reaching - all the way to drinking water for the downstream communities. We are trying to study that now."

[u-r-right]

They''re just doing jobs that Amercians don''t want to do. Honest, hard working, trying to make it out of poverty. Let''s keep the borders open and flowing. Amnesty yes. (sarcasm off)

[smurfcrusher]

Slimeballs. What care have they for our country''s heritage?

Maybe we should dump toxins on their most treasured places and see how they like it.

[peter776-2009]

This article shows how truly out-of-control illegal immigration is in this country. It is complete craziness that illegal immigrants can be doing such things, on such an industrial scale, in our national parks and forests, all while not being apprehended by federal agents. THIS HAS TO STOP. I want my tax dollars spent on stopping illegal immigration, not bombs for Iraq.

[RichardOwlMirror]

If Marijuana were LEGAL to grow by citizens (perhaps a tax stamp) this violation of our National Forests and wildlife would not occur. In fact, each citizen would spend money locally at grow shops and Home Depot for their supplies, and would be more concerned with the environmental effects than these criminals.

This election here in Michigan, we the voters will be voting on Proposal 1 which will allow Medical marijuana patients to legally grow their own.

Why should I be held to account the same as these criminals from Mexican drug Cartels ?

[mike18881]

Here''s my thought, how many hunters are in our country? Maybe we should get us all togther and have open season on anybody that''s planing or manufactoring drugs, just open season. let''s see how many come back.

[dragon8me]

If it we''re legal, they wouldn''t have this problem and the gangs would go broke.

[RichardOwlMirror]

and you wonder why Michigan is bankrupt and in the dump. Lib pot smokers like yourself up there thinking that is the cure for the problem "let''''s grow our own". Nice work.
--------------------
Posted by stick1771 at 08:37 PM : Oct 11, 2008

Sir, you have no idea what you are talking about.
First of all, the economy of Michigan is in the dumps because Republicans in the Senate cut funding without replacing it.
Secondly, this liberal pot smoker has been confined to a bed for the past 12 years and in constant pain.
Do you know what it is like to live constantly drugged on Oxycontin and Morphine ?

I much rather obtain needed relief from pain through smoking a tiny bit of marijuana than taaking a pill every four hours.

[dragon8me]

God created it and said it was food,Genesis 1:29. All the HIGH priest and even Jesus was anointed with it, since hemp seed oil is one of the ingredients in the anointing oil they used, Exodus 30:23.Fragrant cane is a mis-translation, it should read Kanna bossom, ie cannabis.

[barbaraf4]

Nothing surprises me anymore. I have become numb to this type of garbage.

[lastdance127]

Who knows more about illegal drugs other than the
Federal Government and The CIA (Cocaine Import Agency)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
EU Officials: Investigate CIA Plane Used in Renditions
Caught with 4 Tons of Cocaine

The CIA Drug Plane Scandal grew exponentially last week
when European Union officials broke an official 40-year-long
silence on the previously-taboo subject of the CIA%u2019s worldwide
involvement in drug trafficking.

Seventeen months after an American-registered DC9 airliner
was busted with 5.5 tons of cocaine,

A major International scandal is brewing over a
SECOND DRUG TRAFFICKING Incident in Mexico''s Yucatan
Involving an American-registered jet owned by a dummy front
company of the kind usually associated with the CIA.
_____

In - Oct 2005 __ FBI Director Robert Mueller Announced :
The FBI would begin to hire people. Who had a history of using Marijuana
The FBI Needs People Who are SYMPATHETIC to :
The Federal Drug Smuggling - Drug Manufacturing and
The Federal Drug Money Laundering Operations
(stock market investments)

[stevex47]

Pot needs to be legalized. Tax revenues from it would go along way to our economic crisis.

[RichardOwlMirror]

shoot the *** and leave their bodies laying next to the deer as a warning that we are not playing games anymore.
-------
Posted by stick1771
-------

I assume you are an Atheist, right ?
Because viewing human life as callous as you have described makes you equal to an enraged and unbalanced animal.

[dragon8me]

George Washington made it illegal NOT to grow it and said it was vital to the security of our country, even after it was made illecal in the 1930''s the government tried to get farmers to grow it during WWII for the security of our country. I can think of 1000 reasons right now why it should be legalized for national security, the biggest is fuel, and Henery Fords first car was designed to run on hemp oil and was even made from a composite made from hemp.

[andrew_693]

americans consume drugs, don''t consume drugs and there won''t be any mexicans ruining your forests. It''s that simple.

[ubrew12]

andrew_693 said: "americans consume drugs, don''''t consume drugs and there won''t be any mexicans ruining your forests. It''s that simple."

Americans also consume air

[cockamammy]

This article is typical of the regurgitated propaganda that the American government spews time and time again. First of all, cannabis is the sister of the hemp plant, one of most resilient crops on this planet. It does not need the vast amount of pesticides and chemicals that cotton, corn, or other crops need to prevent infestation. So, this claim that the plant is a danger to our natural park ecosystems is so far from the truth. Second, where is the outrage when we now have a DEAD ZONE from pesticides flowing out of the Mississippi River covering over half of the Gulf of Mexico that has destroyed ALL marine life in the area affected? Wake up people and stop believing this untruthful and hypocritical BS. It''s a plant and not a meth lab! As for mexicans growing weed in our national forests, I have a good suggestion - LEGALIZE it for cryin'' out loud! Get rid of the twisted immorality associated with this plant and consider it a commodity and start making some money off it so you can pay your mortgages, credit cards, and medical bills.

[mljohns00]

Yet another expensive war that will go on forever and can''t be won. Like Prohibition, all we get for our efforts is organized crime.

[merlgrey]

nothing but another symptom of a prohibition war.

end the prohibition the symptoms end too.

[dragon8me]

People who are for the war on drugs are rascist. That''s the reason it became illegal in the first place in El Pasa TX. The whites didn''t like the Mexicans smoking it. Cocane was brought in by the CIA and G. H. W. Bush thru his Zapata Oil Co. and is being used to lock up black males. We have more people in prison in the US than any country ever and mostly for non-violent drug offenses. And they usually get more time than a thief, rapist or murderer. What kind of twisted morality is it that makes nature against the law and creates the scenario you read above?

[jameslouiky]

Posted by dragon8me

LOL you need to stop smoking the DDT your spraying.

[RichardOwlMirror]

I must say I am appalled at the shear ignorance of many respondents on this comment blog.

Marijuana and Industrial Hemp are classified as a schedule one drug while Tobacco meets and exceeds every criteria to be classified as a schedule one drug and nobody holds the government to their hypocrisy.
How many people become sick, even die because of tobacco and second-hand smoke yet, because it brings in revenue you continue to allow it to be sold and consumed.

Make Marijuana equal under the Law to Tobacco or make tobacco equal under the Law to marijuana.

[chordmonkey]

Dragon8me - you are obviously smoking too much of your own product, dude. You conspiracy loons need new tinfoil hats, the controls waves are getting in.

HAHAHAHAHAHA LOL - ROTFLMAO

[dragon8me]

Funny, when people can''t handle the truth all they can do is call people names and talk trash. Pass me another hit of DDt, before I get stupid too!

[RichardOwlMirror]

cbsfan731 the way you talk, you must be as close to perfect a human being as Jesus.
No marijuana, no tobacco, no alcohol.
Are you also opposed to *** ?
Do you rampage as much about Global pollution by Industries ?
Do you complain as much against the indiscriminant killing of innocent people around the world ?
Or are those necessary evils that keep you supplied with income ?

[RichardOwlMirror]

People that smoke dope try to escape psychological problems. They also have no fascination with life, hence need a crutch.
-------
Posted by cbsfan731
-------

And how pray tell do you arrive at that conclusion ?
Seems you trying to escape psychological problems and have no fascination with life, hence need a crutch. Since your life appears to be consumed by sitting on a computer spouting off anonymously about topics you have no idea about.

[RichardOwlMirror]

Hey cbsfan731, I have one final question for you.

Do you support Gov Sarah Palin ?

[RichardOwlMirror]

I complain about all of the above...
-----------
Posted by cbsfan731
-----------

While you do a whole lot of complaining, do you ever do anything towards resolving problems or just complain ?

[TrishG62]

If pot was legalized, the users would then apply for social security disability because they couldn''t stay stoned and work, too. Then, Americans could just support them, too. You can eat yourself into being confined to bed and get disability, so why not just legalize all drugs, let me them around on their behinds,too, and the few remaining workers can support them. Yeah, sounds like a really bright idea. Not.

[RichardOwlMirror]

I''''ve known many of them - all losers.
---------
Posted by cbsfan731
---------

Perhaps it is your choice of friends and not the marijuana?

[merlgrey]

If we rid ourselves of bad habits, we will become a greater society. Posted by cbsfan731 at 09:44 PM

therefore:

cbsfan=bad habit

[RichardOwlMirror]

If pot was legalized, the users would then apply for social security disability because they couldn''''t stay stoned and work, too. Then, Americans could just support them, too. You can eat yourself into being confined to bed and get disability, so why not just legalize all drugs, let me them around on their behinds,too, and the few remaining workers can support them. Yeah, sounds like a really bright idea. Not.
-----------
Posted by tinyt54
-----------

You really can''t be that stupid, can you ?
Your ignorance is thoroughly disgusting.
I sure hope you don''t vote.
Perhaps that is why this nation is in such dire straights, it''s folks like you who vote these idiots into office.

I am totally disabled, I''ve been confined to this bed for 12 years from a severed spine.
I am mandated to remain addicted to Oxycontin and morphine because of people like you who refuse to allow me the relief that medicinally applied Marijuana would afford me.

[RichardOwlMirror]

I''''m soing something right now - I''''m telling people not to smoke marajuana.
------
Posted by cbsfan731
------

No you are not doing anything except sounding off anonymously and spamming a public blog.

[dragon8me]

Dope smokers have no business in the workplace...

Posted by cbsfan731 at 10:05 PM : Oct 11, 2008

I smoked on every job I''ve had including government and anyone would tell you that I was a good worker.

[RichardOwlMirror]

Are you looking for physical pain relief or mental?
-------
Posted by cbsfan731
-------

Actually, it''s a bit of both.
I smoke marijuana in-between the hard drugs because I try to prolong the time between taking Oxycontin and morphine. Because of continual use, today the drugs only work for 1-2 hours yet I''m unable to take another pill for 4-6 hours. When I smoke a few puffs off a joint, it relieves the pain as well as stimulates my mind. It''s quite hard to live confined to a bed, become depressed over my lot in life so yeah, marijuana does assist me mentally as well as physically.

You sit and label all smokers as degenerate liberals who don''t want to work and you haven''t any idea about the benefits marijuana offers to someone like me.

I''m sorry the kids in the sixties gave marijuana a bad name by their abusing it so. All it ended up doing is making people like you that much more against my being able to obtain medical pain relief.

[dragon8me]

I know what you mean Owlmirror. All that hard work wrecked my back And I live a life of pain too. I don''t need the Oxys as much if I have a little weed, In fact the effect lingers for a few days but eventually I need more pills if I don''t smoke.

[dragon8me]

CBS fan, you don''t know me and don''t know what your talking about period

[ubrew12]

If pot were legal, maybe I wouldn''t be a drunk.

[dragon8me]

cbsfan, just send any inquiries to the White House.

[ubrew12]

cbsfan731 said: "I reinterate: Marajuana has no business in the workplace. "

Reiteration is a sure sign that you''re high...

[dragon8me]

No cbsfan, I''m sure george knows who I am since he can tap our phones and computres, and I only live less than a quarter tank away, ask him if you want to know.

[RichardOwlMirror]

Well, when the federal government makes it legal - puff away.
Who knows, maybe medical science will solve your problem someday.
------
Posted by cbsfan731
------
Where in the US constitution does it give the federal Government the authority to restrict a naturally growing plant from my personal use ?

Seriously, where does the federal government obtain it''s authority over my private life in regards to Marijuana ?

[ubrew12]

cbsfan731 said: "Alcohol is very bad. Long term, it''s worse than pot. I have seen many family members in an early grave because of it. "

Why is it legal?

[my2centss]

Weed and bug sprays, some long banned in the U.S., have been smuggled to the marijuana farms..."I''ve seen the pesticide residue on the plants," Foy said. "You ain''t just smoking pot, bud. You''re smoking some heavy-duty pesticides from Mexico."

Think about whats on your food that we import too, if this is legal there, it must be made for something besides weed. Tomatoes? Onions?

[dragon8me]

cbs fan, if you we''re a reasonably person, I''d invite you over for a debate. But so far you havn''t said anything of value. Everything I said earler I can back up with fact. Do a little reaserch and get back with me and we''ll see if you know anything about cannabis.

[ubrew12]

cbsfan731 said: "most people are psychologically weak... "

Bingo. Most people are hopelessly addicted to oxygen also...wimps! Make pot legal.

[RichardOwlMirror]

You must be doped up now. George only knows people that are filthy rich.
------
Posted by cbsfan731
------

I write my Congressperson, Senator and the President on this issue all the time. I include my full name and address and phone number each time.

The only time I ever was visited by police was after I told my doctor that I stopped taking the Oxycontin and preferred smoking marijuana because I want to be able to think and reason, not be in a drug-induced haze for the rest of my life.

She wrote in BIG letters on the front of my medical file "Daily Drug Abuser" not for being addicted to Oxycontin but, for taking a few puffs off a joint every few hours.
When the police showed up, they were really pissed that this doctor would waste their time for a call like this.

[vietvet06]

Mexican Gangs...That would be like a box of worms right...hola...leme tat my family history on my chest, which would be a single shot of sperm, by some European donor, into the grand canyon of w_h_o_r_e_s in Mexico. Mexican smokers of c_o_c_k_, should wear a green bandanna, for easy ID and target acquisition. The rest, well, counting teeth would be a rule.

[dragon8me]

cbsfan, I was just playing your game about george but thats getting boreing. No substance. And talk about psychologically weak. Theres all kinds of studies proving cannabis is good for so many things and all you can do is make snide remarks. That might work with simpletons but not with most people. Legalize it and that''s my final answer.

[RichardOwlMirror]

owlmirror wrote:
"She wrote in BIG letters on the front of my medical file "Daily Drug Abuser""

She is probably obligated to do so by her mal-practice insurance contract.
--------
Posted by cbsfan731
--------

Actually that is wrong because when I found out, I contacted the CEO of the hospital and he immediately fired her.
Doctors are required to make a statement in the file so other doctors can be informed but, what she did was put in so even a candy striper could read the information.

She was wrong and she paid the price for her actions.

I''m still waiting for you to answer my question:

Where in the US constitution does it give the federal Government the authority to restrict a naturally growing plant from my personal use ?

Seriously, where does the federal government obtain it''''s authority over my private life in regards to Marijuana ?

[lastdance127]

Who knows more about illegal drugs other than the
Federal Government and The CIA (Cocaine Import Agency)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
EU Officials: Investigate CIA Plane Used in Renditions
Caught with 4 Tons of Cocaine

The CIA Drug Plane Scandal grew exponentially last week
when European Union officials broke an official 40-year-long
silence on the previously-taboo subject of the CIA%u2019s worldwide
involvement in drug trafficking.

Seventeen months after an American-registered DC9 airliner
was busted with 5.5 tons of cocaine,

A major International scandal is brewing over a
SECOND DRUG TRAFFICKING Incident in Mexico''s Yucatan
Involving an American-registered jet owned by a dummy front
company of the kind usually associated with the CIA.
_____

In - Oct 2005 __ FBI Director Robert Mueller Announced :
The FBI would begin to hire people. Who had a history of using Marijuana
The FBI Needs People Who are SYMPATHETIC to :
The Federal Drug Smuggling - Drug Manufacturing and
The Federal Drug Money Laundering Operations
(stock market investments