Idaho Sheriffs' Association Home Page

Look for these signs...

They may indicate the illegal growing of marijuana

1. The clearing of brush and timber

2. Signs of cultivation/soil disturbance in unlikely areas.

3. Unusual structures located in remote areas to include those made from cut brush and timber as well as tents erected in unusual areas.

4. Buckets, garden tools, fertilizer bags, propane tanks, etc.

5. Plastic/PVC sprinkler piping coming from streams and placed onto hidden/covered hillside areas.

6. Large purchases by individuals of fertilizer, garden hoses, plastic PVC pipe, chicken wire, different size pots (utilized for different stages o growing plants), machetes, camouflage netting, camouflage clothing, etc.

7. Garbage in remote locations.

Marijuana Growers Can Be Dangerous!

Leave Investigations to Law Enforcement Officers

DO's and DON'Ts

The following are recommended dos and don'ts which apply upon discovery of a marijuana garden:

DO your best to know your exact location by use of existing landmarks, maps or GPS coordinates. This will be helpful when relating the location of the garden to law enforcement authorities.

DO make note of any vehicles or persons in or around the area.

DO notify law enforcement authorities immediately.

DO keep this information to yourself after notifying the proper authority.

DO HELP US

DON'T enter a garden area, or go any closer than is necessary to identify the plants as being marijuana

DON'T look around the areas for additional plants or garden sites.

DON'T take a sample plant or segment of a plant with you.

DON'T leave any unnecessary sign of your presence in the area.

DON'T return to the area unless accompanied by law enforcement authorities.

Contact your nearest federal, state or local law enforcement agency or call the Drug Enforcement Administration at 208-334-1620

Every year there have been increasing number of reports of hikers, hunters and campers being intimidated by marijuana growers.
These campers, hikers and hunters are at risk of being assaulted or shot by marijuana growers trying to protect their illegal crop.
Law enforcement continues to seize firearms and booby traps which pose deadly threats.
Marijuana growers typically live in the forest for extended periods of time often leaving garbage and destroying the surrounding pristine areas where harvesting is taking place.

Idaho Off Highway Vehicle Program is sponsored by Parks and Recreation and provides funding to sheriffs who enforce violations involving 4-wheelers and other motorized off-road machines. An additional fee of $1.00 is charged at registration and can be designated by the registrant to go to the county where the person recreates. However, sheriffs must have an approved enforcement and education program in place to receive the funds.

The Idaho Sheriffs' Association works closely with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on an annual program to eradicate outdoor and indoor marijuana grow operations. DEA funds the Association to pay for deputies overtime, training, helicopter and other aviation assets to search for and destroy marijuana grow operations. Some of these grows are quite sophisticated using thousands of feet of plastic irrigation pipe and camouflage to hide their activities from the air.