700 marijuana plants eradicated in Mendocino National Forest

[#item_full_content] WILLOWS, Calif. – On September 16, law enforcement located and eradicated approximately 700 marijuana plants from an illegal grow site in a remote area of the Mendocino National Forest.Authorities say law enforcement from the United States Forest Service, Glenn County Major Crimes Task Force and USFS helicopter Falcon 1 worked together last Wednesday to remove the cultivation site.The Mendocino National Forest says that marijuana grow sites in national forests are typically planted in areas where visitors are unlikely to go.Southern or western slopes are preferred for growing sites, but marijuana grow sites can be found in any type of terrain.Officials say sometimes grow sites are planted along roads or freeways on steep hillsides where brush and trees hide the marijuana plants.Cultivation sites can cause extreme damage to ecosystems and pose safety concerns for the public. Law enforcement agencies remind visitors to know the signs of a grow site.Signs include human activity in an isolated area, informal unmarked hiking trails and PVC pipes, hose lines, drip irrigation lines, cisterns, gardening supplies or gardening tools.Other indicators are containers for fertilizers, insecticides and animal poisons, signs of established camping, cooking and sleeping areas, structures in remote locations and trash or garbage in remote locations.The public should take precautions if they come across a marijuana grow site on national forest lands.Authorities advise people to leave the area immediately and cautiously exit the same way they entered.The United States Forest Service says that once in a safe location, people can report details regarding the illegal marijuana grow to local law enforcement by immediately calling 911.  Read More