NCJ Number
173636
Date Published
1996
Length
57 pages
Annotation
This report provides information and data on the National Forest System's Drug Control Initiative and its implementation in 1996.
Abstract
The 1996 National Forest System Drug Control Initiative continued to emphasize the apprehension of growers and the eradication of cannabis. In 1996 more than 318,547 cultivated cannabis plants were eradicated in the National Forest System from 6,151 cultivation sites, a 20-percent increase in plants eradicated and a 7-percent increase in cultivation sites from the previous year. The increase in cultivation sites located can be attributed to the increased cooperation between Forest Service law enforcement and State and local agencies, particularly in Region 8, which accounted for 75 percent of the increase. The Southern Region continues to be the area with the highest drug-control activity. This region accounted for 56 percent of the plants eradicated and 85 percent of the cultivation sites. The continued strategy to emphasize the apprehension of persons involved in controlled substance production and distribution in the National Forest System resulted in 3,482 suspects being arrested in 1996 for either cultivation and distribution activities or possession. The number of firearms seized from suspects and from cultivation sites increased from 141 in 1995 to 235 in 1996, a 66-percent increase and a reversal of the trend that started in 1990. Over $2.18 million of drug-related assets were seized in the National Forest System. The number of clandestine laboratories reported in the National Forest System increased from 28 in 1995 to 41 in 1996. Coordination and supports from other law enforcement agencies continues to be high, and support from military sources, although declining in recent years, provides some effectiveness in the detection of cannabis sites. Current and future emphasis will remain on apprehension and coordinated investigative efforts with other Federal, State, and local agencies. Extensive data figures cover 1996 drug control activity, regional drug control trends, and National Forest System drug control trends.