National Forests Urge Awareness of Illegal Drug Operations on Public Land

IRONWOOD, MI – Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - Illegal drug operations (such as marijuana gardens and methamphetamine production sites) threaten public safety and also damage the environment. For many years, the Forest Service and other law enforcement agencies have worked together to identify and clean-up illegal drug operations on National Forest lands in Michigan. In 2010, a total of 1,500 marijuana plants were removed from National Forest lands in Michigan. In addition, one methamphetamine production site (“meth lab”) was found on the National Forests. A total of 9 suspects are under investigation.

This year for the first time, authorities are finding marijuana gardens operated by large drug trafficking organizations on Michigan’s National Forests.

According to Forest Supervisor Susan Spear, the safety of National Forest visitors and Forest Service employees is the agency’s top priority. All local partner agencies are committed to keeping our National Forests’ workforce and public safe and preventing the resource damage that occurs from the illegal marijuana operations. “While it’s unlikely visitors will come across this kind of activity, we also want to make sure that hunters, hikers, campers and other recreationists know how to stay safe.”

Most illegal drug production activity is during the spring and summer months, but the sites can remain dangerous year-round due to chemicals, explosives and other materials sometimes found on the premises. Some common signs of marijuana grows include:

Informal, unmarked hiking trails
Human habitation in remote areas; signs of established camping, cooking and sleeping areas
Gardening paraphernalia like drip hose irrigation, fertilizer bags, insecticides and tools
Pungent strong odor (marijuana plants can have a strong smell, especially on hot days)
Paper cups, chicken wire, or plastic sheets, which are often used for starting and protecting plants
Signs of cultivation or soil disturbance in forested areas, especially in remote areas Trash in remote areas
Propane bottles or tanks (growers use propane to avoid smoke from campfires)
People sitting in the forest along forest roads (they may be growers waiting for food drops or supplies)
Food cached near trailheads or alongside roads Individuals with firearms when hunting seasons are closed
Booby traps such as explosives triggered by trap wires

If you come across signs of illegal activity do NOT approach or confront the individuals present at the site and do not in any way indicate that you are suspicious of their activities. As soon as you become aware that you have entered a cultivation site, or have encountered any of the above listed situations, immediately remove yourself from the area. Walk, crawl or run out the way you came in and make as little noise as possible.

When you are safely away, contact your nearest law enforcement office as soon as possible and report as much detail about the incident as you can recall (e.g., a description of the activities taking place, the area where you encountered activity, the people, and any vehicles)

“While only a fraction of the National Forest System is affected by this illegal activity, our intent is to provide for the safety of all visitors on our land.” said Forest Supervisor Spear. If you have any questions about illegal drug-related activity on the Ottawa National Forest, please contact Forest Service law enforcement staff at 906-358-4551 or 906-884-2085.