Hero COPS destroying Marijuana fields found in California wilderness

KCAL9′s Rachel Kim reports the National Park Service calls marijuana cultivation a “growing” problem.

Over the last five years, the organization has seen a phenomenal jump in the number of plants on public lands in western states – tens of millions every year. And California tops the list.

“It’s a very unique environment we are here to protect. It was never meant for the cultivation of marijuana,” Santa Monica Mountains Chief Ranger Evan Jones said.

Jones says in recent years, rangers have discovered pot farms in Encinal Canyon, Malibu Creek State Park and Topanga State Park.

“There could be anywhere from two, three, four sites throughout the mountains,” he said.

In one of the most remote areas of the Santa Monica Mountains is a trail popular with visitors who want to escape into wilderness and nature. But that’s exactly what makes these areas so attractive to growers.

“It’s really the weather and the water and the remoteness of the mountains that attract the marijuana cultivators,” Jones explained.

U.S. Forest Service Patrol Captain Anthony Rose says local, state and federal authorities are working together to combat the grows.

He says through reconnaissance “we have an advantage because we’re coming in at unknown times.”

“Our law enforcement officers throughout the state of California and nationwide take this threat very seriously. These are armed growers. The potential for violence is there,” Rose warned.

[link to losangeles.cbslocal.com]