Warning on possible pot growers called profiling

The Associated Press
11:52 a.m. August 28, 2009

DENVER — An advocate for Hispanic rights says she was appalled to learn that the U.S. Forest Service is warning the public that campers who eat tortillas, drink Tecate beer and play Spanish music could be armed marijuana growers.

Polly Baca, co-chairwoman of the Colorado Latino Forum, says the warning is profiling and discriminatory. She says it could put Hispanic campers in danger.

A Forest Service spokesman had no immediate comment Friday.
The agency issued the warning Wednesday amid an investigation into how much marijuana is being cultivated in Colorado's national forests.

More than 14,000 irrigated marijuana plants were found in Colorado's Pike National Forest in July. Federal officials say they believe illegal immigrants were brought to the site from Mexico to tend the plants.

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