San Diego County pot raids net $1 billion in seizures

The overall number of marijuana plants seized in San Diego County this year declined from last year, but the number seized on the county's vast tracts of public land increased.

Overall seizures on private and public land were put at 378,243 plants, a decrease of 23% from the previous year.

But seizures on public land were listed at 294,175 plants, an increase of 17%, according to figures released this week by the Drug Enforcement Administration office in San Diego.

Even with the overall decrease in seizures, marijuana growing continues to be a lucrative, if illicit, business. Investigators seized marijuana worth at approximately $1 billion in raids on 165 growing locations; 118 persons were arrested. Figures are for Jan. 1 to Dec. 1, the traditional "growing season" for pot.

For 2011, officials are vowing to increase surveillance on public lands, particularly those controlled by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

A federal and local task force is dedicated "to keeping this dangerous drug off the streets of San Diego," said Ralph W. Partridge, special agent in charge of the DEA's San Diego division.

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-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Marijuana grown on public land in San Diego County. Credit: Drug Enforcement Administration

Comments

[h8ter]

Why do we let them waste our money on their futile nonsense. Firing all DEA agents would be a good start for a balanced budget.

[MICHAEL WHITE]

I am an Honorably Discharged Retired Navy Veteran who served our nation for over 11 years. I have made several deployments in support of our national security, I have an associate and bachelor's degree in political science, I am a hard working taxpayer and...I fully support the efforts of our law enforcement agencies in putting a stop to the spread of marijuana and its cultivation. There is something wrong with using a substance to experience an euphoric sensation. I think we as Americans need to look ourselves in the mirror and throw these drugs off!! We need to be moving towards a more family friendly drug-free environment. Make America great again, let's say "NO" to drugs!

[Lee]

Some of these pot dealers are destroying our public parklands and wilderness areas. All they care about is making loads of money at the expense of everyone else. One more reason to distrust pot dealers....

[annie]

i'd like to know if michael white drinks alcohol.

[Miss Grammer]

Legalizing the cultivation of marijuana would reduce the price, thus lowering the incentive for people trashing our public lands and would allow legal American farmers to earn additional income.

In Mendocino County, the sheriff comes to your property and puts zip-lock tags on legal marijuana plants that will become "medical" marijuana. The County has, in effect, legalized cultivation provided you fill out the necessary paper-work.

This cat is so out of that bag it's never going back in. If adults want to smoke pot and get the munchies - WHO CARES?

Get over it already and legalize it.

[Miss Grammer]

"There is something wrong with using a substance to experience an euphoric sensation." Really? What's wrong about it? Are euphoric sensations intrinsically bad or just situationally bad? How about those sensations when having sex? Is that bad?

[Paul Gelsman]

Grow baby Grow!

[Rooney]

"A federal and local task force is dedicated "to keeping this dangerous drug off the streets of San Diego," said Ralph W. Partridge, special agent in charge of the DEA's San Diego division."

= Prohibition is wasting our tax dollars and spoiling our natural parks. Legalize it. That will get the Mexicans to stop growing in our national parks, and bring money to California. Until then, we are paying for people like Mr. Partridge and his goons to fly around in helicopters all day, just so they can uproot some plants.

[larry]

@Michael White
you are entitled to your opinion. which misses the point of medical marijuana. This plant relieves pain and other symptoms, and it does not create a feeling of euphoria (how reefer madness can you get jack??!!) any more than a cig or a beer does. is it your opinion that things like aspirin and tylenol also be banned?. What if I tell you about my c.v. would that help you to see that as an educated adult I can make my own decisions regarding my personal habits without folks like you imposing your worldview on me.

[me]

Cant wait for all these old folks and vets to die already, then we can have our government do something beside running around looking for weeds worth 2.5 kagillion fafillion dollars

[TR]

Prohibition, ya gotta luv it!!!

[Dan]

Ha! for once all the comments here are cool! Well maybe except for one, Otherwise, well done everybody!

[JC]

well if we could just grow a few plants in our back yard, we could virtually eliminate all of the illegal aspects of the industry....

no legalizing it and taxing it, just let a FREE American do what they want in their own home!!!

[Auntie Illegal]

Micheal White our children are exactly why we smoke pot quit living in wonderland marijuana is not a dangerous drug and you would know that if you could put that beer down long enough

[Eric Williams]

Prohibition didn't work in the twenties, and it won't work now. Only the Govt. enjoys the raids, war on drugs, more money for the police, etc. Tobacco is worse, and alcohol the worst. But they're OK? Why is that? It's taxed, and regulated. Legal Pot would bring money into our economy. I don't drink or smoke, but if someone wants to , its fine with me. I like to enjoy a good joint. Why tread on me?

[john doe]

wow!

[JumpinJackFlash]

You Couldn't Pay Me To Smoke That Ugly Stuff..I Been Down That Road Before. What A Waste Of Time And Money! No No No No I No Smoke It any More I'm Tired Of waking Up On The Floor. No Thank You Please It Only make Me Sneeze.....lalalalala!

[Michael]

yep lets get more pot growers in the hoosegow, It is much more dangerous than whiskey, Wine and Beer. We all know that that won't hurt anybody. Most dope smokers are mass murderers, serial rapists, and baby killers too. Not like alcoholics and meth users.

The state is broke so they go and spend more money on pot growers.

This makes so much sense if you want to get re-elected.

[john]

If weed was legal it would have no monetary value....

[ed l]

Pot should be legalized Dr,s , Judges, Lawyers, blue collar, white collar smoke pot. when is the last time you read about someone running into a store with a gun demanding all the pepsie and mallow cups MY Favorite, you don,t why cause it makes you mellow as in mallllllooooooow cupsssssssssssss. joking i think there,s so much more to be concerned about, homelessness, hunger , disease,s, war , children without , the government did this not pot our country is at an all time low concentrate on the strong issues for tomorrow and leave the pot for self choice treat it like alcohol that kills more than pot. SO lightem if you gotem happy holidays to all and to all a goodnight

[ed l]

why does everybody worry what everyone else does getting high on pot is like beer treat it the same way laws and all i,m going to Mendocina California state at ease about it Arnie,s cool wonder if he smokes mendocina the town is legal to grow it medical ?>>> but not federal but i,ve been there if that stuff hits New England Somerville, Ma. my town as O J said LOOK OUT that is unbelievable THC much stronger happy holidays and happy toking