Hot Line Set Up to Report Marijuana Activity in Forests
The federal government, reacting to instances of booby traps and armed intimidation of hikers by drug producers, has opened a toll-free hot line so people can report marijuana cultivation and drug trafficking in the national forests.
The hot line is the latest step by the Department of Agriculture, which oversees the national forests, to combat the increasing use of the forests as marijuana fields. Callers are assured of anonymity, officials said Tuesday in announcing the hot line in Washington and in California.
Callers may receive rewards up to $5,000 for information that leads to the seizure of marijuana plants or other drugs being manufactured on national forest land. There are national forests in 44 states.
Earlier this year, the National Drug Policy Board said 92 booby traps were discovered on national forest land.
“In addition to engaging in an illegal activity, marijuana growers are using booby traps, armed intimidation and other tactics to keep the public from entering some areas of the national forests,” said Assistant Agriculture Secretary George Dunlop. The California toll-free number is 1-800-78CRIME.
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