[OG Kush]

Investigators took to the skies this week, looking for marijuana plants growing on the First Coast. They found plants planted in the woods, pot plants in pots, and cannabis growing right next to homes.

Friday morning, three sheriffs stood together announcing the week's sweep of outdoor marijuana plants across three counties that included Flagler, St. Johns, and Putnam. Their agencies along with city police departments and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement worked together on the bust.

In this week’s sweep, 279 plants were seized in 17 sites, and 11 people were arrested or received notices to appear. The seized marijuana equaled a street value of $300,000.

Overall, the numbers of outdoor sites and the number of marijuana plants officers find are going down across the state. In 1997, officers found more than 108,000 plants in Florida. They found just over 74,800 plants in 2005.

Sheriffs say growers are moving indoors to cultivate their plants.
Sheriff David Shoar of St. Johns County said, “let's face it, it's easier to conceal your activity inside.” He said it makes his job and his officer’s job harder.

City sprawl is another reason for the decline.

Dominik Pape of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said, “Where we used to have acres and acres of land where this could grow, we now have houses going up.”

These sheriffs and the FDLE also said its fly-overs and eradication efforts, like the ones this week, that are pushing the numbers down. However, they realize the need to stay out in front of the marijuana growers -- inside and out.

Sheriff Dean Kelly of Putnam County gave one last warning, “If you're out there, and you’re growing or selling marijuana, we’re coming after you. Get ready.”



Newshawk: SX420 - 420Girls.com
Source: 420Times.com
Author: Jessica Clark
Copyright: © 2006 First Coast News
Contact: contact
Website: http://www.firstcoastnews.com