Published: August 19, 2008 11:52 am      

Project 'Up in Smoke' tackles pot growers

State, federal agencies unite to tackle marijuana cultivation across the commonwealth

Got a stash of hash growing in the woods, up on a mountain or mixed in with other Kentucky cash crops? The eye in the sky in the form of a Kentucky Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter with a team of National Guard Soldiers, state and federal law enforcement on board, is on a daily mission to seek and destroy these hidden treasures.

Over the last year, The United States Attorney’s Officer for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky State Police, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Forest Service, United States Marshal’s Service and Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), have been working to locate these patches of marijuana, which officials said can be as small as five or six plants, growing in remote areas of the Commonwealth. Operation “Up In Smoke” has five Blackhawk helicopters scouring rural Kentucky. As a result of the program, the number of marijuana plants growing in Kentucky, which in 1990 was estimated at 1 million, is down to about 500,000.

Thursday, a team was searching an area of Breathitt County in eastern Kentucky near the Perry County line. Secluded on a tree-covered mountain, agents located a row of approximately 20 budding plants. The plants were pulled up by the roots and carried to a nearby National Guard Humvee where they were loaded up and hauled away. Though they found this one row, officials explained the grower likely has covered his bets by planting a number of rows.

“They typically plant in threes, “ Kentucky Secretary of Justice J. Michael Brown explained. “On a rival dealer may find. One we may find. And one for profit.”

In the past, individuals charged with cultivating marijuana may have been taken to the local district or circuit court where they may have received probation or a few months in the county jail. The addition of the U.S. Attorney has changed all of that.

Officials spoke of an incident several months ago in Wolfe County when they arrested one suspected grower. The individual told the agents there was no way a grand jury was going to return an indictment against him.

The agents explained to him he wouldn’t be going to Wolfe County, but would be going to London where the case would be presented in federal court. When he heard this, the suspect turned white as a sheet.

“If this program targets you, you will be arrested, you will be convicted and you will go to a federal prison,” Richard Battleroco of the DEA said.

Officials explained that as law enforcement has become more aggressive in tracking down and eliminating these crops, the growers have become more aggressive in defending their turf. Personnel working to eliminate the marijuana have discovered booby traps around some of the crops, some of which involve explosives. In addition, the growers are arming themselves beyond the traditional shotguns, rifles and handguns found in Kentucky.

Growers who use these methods face stiffer penalties if they convicted. If they are convicted of possessing a gun, it can mean an additional five years in prison. Brandishing the gun at agents can tack on an additional seven years, while discharging the gun or using explosives can get the offender an additional 10 years.

Officials said Kentucky has become second in the nation in marijuana production, with only California outpacing it. Its climate, green expanses, particularly in eastern Kentucky, and location, make it ideal for marijuana cultivation and distribution.

“They have what we call ‘Helen Keller’ dope in California because anybody can spot it,” HIDTA Director Frank Rapier said. “Kentucky and Hawaii are the two hardest places to find marijuana growing because of the terrain.”

Because of the agencies’ efforts and their willingness to cooperate, officials said marijuana cultivation in Kentucky is on the decline.

“Our vision with ‘Up in Smoke’ is that there is no limit to what we can accomplish if we don’t worry about who gets the credit,” Rapier said.

In addition to the agents’ efforts, officials said they are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information about suspected marijuana cultivation may leave an anonymous tip by calling 1-866-424-4383.

“This is a domestic war,” Brown said. “We are working to protect the commonwealth and the nation.”