News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2008
Contact: Special Agent Eileen Zeidler
Number: 858-616-4166
DEA Task Force Eradicates $20 Million Marijuana Grow in CA National Forest
JUL 14 -- (San Diego, CA)- Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Ralph W. Partridge announced the removal of over 7,200 marijuana plants yesterday from three cultivated fields located within the Cleveland National Forest, CA. The plants ranged from 3 to 7 feet in height and have an estimated street value of more then $20 million dollars. In addition to the marijuana fields, Agents located the trafficker’s encampment complete with tent, food, shower area, and miscellaneous personal items.
SAC Partridge stated, “This drug organization destroyed a substantial amount of natural vegetation in their quest to set up this illegal grow. DEA will continue to work with the U.S. Forest Service and other state, local and federal agencies, through the Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program, to protect our natural resources from the contamination and damaged caused by drug trafficker’s illicit use of our public lands.”
The DEA’s Domestic Cannabis Eradication /Suppression Program (DCE/SP) is a nationwide law enforcement program. Established in 1979 the program provides funding, operational support and training to over 100 participating state and local agencies. The San Diego County’s Marijuana Eradication Program is an integrated effort comprised of law enforcement officers from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, local police departments and Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Thus far this year marijuana has been eradicated in more than 60 sites and an estimated 128,000 plants have been seized. In 2007 marijuana was eradicated from 225 outdoor sites located within San Diego County.
The agencies that participated in the eradication at the Cleveland National Forest were the DEA Narcotics Task Force, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, San Diego Sheriff’s Department and the California National Guard.
