1,656 MARIJUANA PLANTS FOUND IN RAID

The Gila County Narcotics Task Force is turning up the heat on those
who illegally grow and harvest marijuana in Arizona's national forests.

Last year, more than 104,000 pounds of pot with a street value of
$52,307,205 were collected during raids in area national forests.

The task force's most recent battle was waged July 12, north of
Highway 260 near Preacher's Canyon, where agents raided an illegal
garden.

There, they eradicated 1,656 marijuana plants, but did not apprehend
the two tenders, believed to be Mexican nationals.

In past years, it was tips from citizens, usually hikers who
accidentally stumbled on growing operations, which led agents to gardens.

The Preacher Canyon site, however, was discovered using "advanced
investigative techniques," said agents who asked not to be identified.

Task force officers would not comment further, saying any information
could hinder future investigations.

The Preacher Canyon garden was kept under surveillance for about a
week and a half before the raid was carried out.

That is a common practice in law enforcement, mostly because officers
hope that by observing they can learn the identity of others
associated with the operation.

"We want to see if we could catch someone a little higher up the food
chain," an agent said. "Maybe (we'd catch) the ones that were bringing
in the food and supplies (to the growers) or be able to identify the
vehicle they were using."

Agents have long suspected that those tending the gardens are only
worker bees and the plants are possibly being grown to benefit a
Mexican drug cartel.

Following the raid at Preacher Canyon, agents said they did not know
why the growers abandoned the garden, but suspected the two might have
had difficulty finding a suitable irrigation source.

"The plants were all fairly small," an agent said.

During the raid, agents found a camp very similar to those they
uncover on most raids.

The camps have tents, sleeping bags, food supplies and small
stoves.

The agents, however, did not find any firearms, as they have at other
gardens. The raid was the first of the summer for the GCNTF, but
agents anticipate many more will be carried out, as the growing season
wears on.

Last year, more than 104,000 pounds of pot with a street value of
$52,307,205 went up in smoke after GCNTF, Department of Public Safety
and Gila County Sheriff's Department officers conducted 21 raids in
Tonto and Coconino National Forests.

Because the growers represent a threat to public safety, agents have
issued a warning to hikers and others who might accidentally discover
a garden.

Their best advice is to plot the location, using a GPS if possible,
and to leave the area as soon as possible.