NCJ Number
173634
Date Published
1994
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This report provides information and data on the National Forest System's Drug Control Initiative and its implementation in 1994.
Abstract
The 1994 National Forest System Drug Control Initiative continued its emphasis on the apprehension of growers and the eradication of cannabis. In 1994, more than 630,677 cultivated cannabis plants were eradicated in the National Forest System from 8,485 cultivation sites, a 20-percent increase in plants eradicated, but a 15-percent decrease in cultivation sites from the previous year. The decrease in cultivation sites located can be attributed to the reduction in available law enforcement personnel during the summer because of the severe fire season and commitment to support those activities. Growers continue their efforts to disperse their plants over larger areas to avoid aerial and ground detection. The Southern Region continues to be an area with high drug-control activity. This region accounted for 43 percent of the plants eradicated and 87 percent of the cultivation sites. A total of 1,392 suspects were arrested in 1994. The number of firearms seized from suspects and from cultivation sites decreased from 363 in 1993 to 263 in 1994, a 28-percent reduction in the number of firearms. More than $7.0 million of drug-related assets were seized in 1994, an 85-percent increase over 1993. The number of clandestine laboratories reported in the National Forest System decreased from 52 in 1993 to 46 in 1994. Current and future emphasis will remain on apprehension, along with a coordinated investigative effort oriented toward penetrating the hierarchy of drug trafficking criminal organizations. Extensive data figures cover 1994 drug control activity, regional drug control trends, and National Forest System drug control trends.