NCJ Number
173635
Date Published
1995
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This report provides information and data on the National Forest System's Drug Control Initiative and its implementation in 1995.
Abstract
The 1995 National Forest System Drug Control Initiative continued its emphasis on the apprehension of growers and the eradication of cannabis. At lease 264,299 cultivated cannabis plants were eradicated from 5,742 sites in the National Forest System, a 58-percent decrease in plants eradicated and a 39-percent decrease in cultivation sites located from the previous year. The decrease in cultivation sites located can be attributed to the reduction in available assistance from National Guard and active military units, a reduction in available Forest Service law enforcement personnel who can be committed during the growing season, and the inadvertent counting of 208,000 plants in calendar year 1994 that statistically should have been State and local assists. Most growers continue their efforts to disperse their plants over larger areas to avoid aerial and ground detection. The Southern Region continues to be the area with the highest drug-control activity. This region accounted for 65 percent of the plants eradicated and 86 percent of the cultivation sites. A total of 2,095 suspects were arrested in 1995. The number of firearms seized from suspects and from cultivation sites decreased from 263 in 1994 to 141 in 1995, a 46- percent reduction. More than $2.0 million of drug-related assets were seized in 1995, a 70-percent decrease from 1994. The number of clandestine laboratories reported in the National Forest System decreased from 46 in 1994 to 28 in 1995. Current and future emphasis will remain on apprehension and coordinated investigative efforts with other Federal, State, and local agencies. Extensive data figures address 1995 National Forest System drug control activity, regional drug control trends, and National Forest System drug control trends.