NCJ Number
173631
Date Published
1991
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This report provides information and data on the National Forest System's Drug Control Initiative and its implementation in 1991.
Abstract
The 1991 National Forest System Drug Control Initiative resulted in continued increases in the eradication of cannabis and apprehension of growers. In 1991, more than 612,000 cultivated cannabis plants were eradicated in the National Forest System from 6,954 cultivation sites, a 12-percent increase in plants eradicated and a 47-percent increase in cultivation sites. The national increase in plants eradicated reflects significant increases in eradication activity in the Southern and Pacific Southwest Regions. Increases in cultivation sites can be attributed to continued efforts by growers to disperse their plants over larger areas to avoid aerial and ground detection. The strategy to emphasize the apprehension of persons involved in controlled substance production and distribution in the National Forest System resulted in 1,055 suspects being arrested in 1991. The number of firearms seized from suspects and from cultivation sites decreased from 436 in 1990 to 402 in 1991. Nearly $5.4 million of drug-related assets were seized in 1991 in the National Forest System. The number of clandestine laboratories reported in the National Forest System decreased from 58 in 1990 to 57 in 1991. Coordination and support from other law enforcement agencies remained high, and the increased support from military resources continues to improve drug-control effectiveness. Extensive data figures cover 1991 drug control activity, regional drug control trends, and National Forest System drug control trends.