[News Hawk]

Marijuana growers in San Diego County are becoming more sophisticated, Drug Enforcement Administration officials said Tuesday.

The number of sites in the county where marijuana is being grown is down so far this year, but more plants are being discovered at those locations.

Law enforcement officials have discovered 265 marijuana growing sites locally since Sept. 1 and have eradicated 246,903 plants, according to statistics by the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.

That's compared to 325 growing locations and 183,825 pot plants that were eradicated countywide throughout all of last year, according to the report.

Marijuana plants seized in the county through Sept. 1 have an approximate street value of more than $987 million.

According to Dan Simmons, spokesman for the DEA's San Diego Field Division, the data shows that marijuana growers are becoming more sophisticated, raising more plants at fewer locations.

The report was released in conjunction with a two-day National Marijuana Initiative conference taking place in San Diego.


Newshawk: Spliff Twister - 420 Girls
Source: 10 news
Pubdate: 31 October 2006
Copyright: 2006 Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc
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