Authorities begin sweep of Shasta County marijuana plots
The Associated Press
News Fuze
Article Launched:07/09/2007 12:19:34 PM PDT

REDDING, Calif.—More than a dozen federal, state and local agencies began a sweep of marijuana gardens hidden on public lands across Shasta County on Monday, a crackdown they said could yield a half-million pot plants.
Searchers expect to uproot more than double the 237,311 marijuana plants they found last year, said Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko.

Authorities blamed Mexico-based drug cartels for the sharp increase in the size and number of outdoor gardens since 2001, when 73,000 plants were found in the Northern California county.

"It is apparent that drug cartels are expanding their operations in California," Bosenko said. "They are planting more and more. They are causing a huge amount of damage to our public lands. They are endangering public safety."

Armed guards camp in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and other areas for months, clear cutting trees, using pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers that can harm waterways, and leaving behind trash and human waste, Bosenko said.

In the past, authorities destroyed the marijuana plants, but didn't have enough money to remove the propane tanks, irrigation pipes, gardening tools and camping gear used by the growers. That often let the growers quickly resume operations, Bosenko said.

This time, the county has received money to remove the growing equipment and restore the damaged forest. Bosenko said it costs about $11,000 to restore one acre of land.

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6333477