Calif. Locals Criticize Drug Raids

REDWAY, Calif. (AP) -- The annual harvest-season hunts for marijuana fields
by drug agents in low-flying helicopters routinely kill birds, stampede
farm animals, violate environmental laws and terrify innocent homeowners,
residents of California's rugged north country testified Monday.

``You have to be here to see what it is like -- from the first of August
through September, it's like a war zone,'' said Dan Weaver.

Weaver and two dozen others testified at a public hearing ordered as part
of a settlement in a lawsuit challenging ``Operation Greensweep,'' an
August 1990 drug raid.

``The big problem is these helicopters. This whole thing would be calmed
down significantly by getting those guys up higher,'' Weaver said.

Residents complained that their privacy and property were violated and said
the propellor wash from the helicopters killed birds and spooked livestock.

Last June, the settlement called on the Bureau of Land Management to draw
up a handbook for its drug raiders. The guidelines are expected to be
released in June.

Ed Denson said helicopters buzzed his barn and frightened his workers.

``They say they fly at 500 feet, but actually, they're coming in at 200
feet. We're saying the handbook should require them to fly at least 1,000
to 1,500 feet,'' said Denson, who lives in Redway, about 220 miles north of
San Francisco in Humboldt County.

Redway is within the so-called ``Emerald Triangle'' made up of Humboldt,
Mendocino and Trinity counties. The region is known for its lush
wilderness, where many marijuana growers operate.