NCJ Number
87948
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1983) Pages: 9-14
Date Published
1983
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Guidelines for aerial surveillance to detect marijuana cover aircraft selection, indicators of growing marijuana, searching techniques, camera equipment, altitude, and legal justifications.
Abstract
The best surveillance aircraft is the single engine, high-winged, fixed-gear plane, such as a Cessna 172. An observer should accompany the pilot, and both should be trained, ideally by taking them to a site where marijuana is growing. Most sightings are based on differences in color between marijuana and the surrounding vegetation. Other indicators include a garden growing in an unlikely area or anything that appears out of the ordinary. Morning hours are the best times for aerial surveillance when marijuana has a fresh radiant appearance. Experience shows that marijuana is easier to detect if the aircraft is positioned between the sun and the plants. Most aerial discoveries are made from an altitude of 500 to 800 feet, and the most productive months are July and August when plants are maturing. Flying in the spring may disclose areas being prepared for planting that should be revisited in the summer. Good intelligence is needed to guide the surveillance program and can save time and expense in locating marijuana. The team should have maps of the area and a 35-millimeter camera with a zoom lens to take photographs for use in court. The officer conducting the surveillance should work closely with the prosecutor since courts vary in their attitudes toward aerial surveillance. Two court decisions, State v. Davis and United States v. Debacker address this issue, favoring aerial surveillance as a technique to detect growing marijuana. Photographs and two footnotes are included.