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Show PANCIUCII • PANCITICIILAKE • HATCH • BUYCF, • TROPIC • ANTIMONY • HENRIEWLLE • CANNONVILLE • ESCAL\NTE • BOULDER • D L C K C R E E K Thursday, August 24, 2006 • Issue # 74 MARIJUANA GARDEN FOILED IN GARFIELD COUNTY Two Hispanic men were arrested August 16th in Panguitch in connection with the marijuana garden where 5,400 plants on federal land in Garfield County were seized Monday. The men, 38-yearold Augustine Mateas Tesco and 19-yearold Juan Carlos Hernandez Garcia were both at a payphone booth at a Panguitch gas station Wednesday morning trying to contact relatives to come and pick them up, when they were spotted by two members of the local volunteer Search and Rescue group who aided in Monday's raid. Information that opened this case came from a concerned citizen and others who had information after it was released to the media. Garfield County Sheriff Sgt. Danny Perkins stated this is a good example of how public involvement into reporting illegal activity is a critical element of law enforcement. Based on evidence at the garden location, this marijuana grow is what US Forest Service and DEA Special Agents call a "DTO" or "Drug Trafficking Organization". These organizations are tied directly to the Mexican Mafia who are finding it easier to grow marijuana inside the United States, rather than trying to bring it across the border. DTO grows are well planned, organized and sometimes come with armed guards. Law enforcement officials find that these grow locations are generally located in remote areas and almost exclusively operated by illegal aliens. These people are brought into the country illegally to facilitate grow operations, most of whom do not speak English. Remote areas such as where Monday's raid was, can be on Forest Service, BLM, Park Service, State Trust lands or even remote private lands, which opens the door for hunters, hikers and sightseers to unsuspectingly enter a DTO operation. Law enforcement officials advise that if a person does accidentally enter a garden, to leave immediately by the same route they entered, then call your local Pmt.rtVnm Planr* From law enforcement agency as soon as possible. Sgt. Perkins stated the presence of DTO's in Southern Utah raises great concern for public safety. Perkins asked that the public be observant while WEATHER 83V30* 3 0 * «l*/si» 40^k Aug Zfc 61V5J" 20% Sun Aug 27 79VS2" 30% AU0 2-* Ed fl^/" Scattoratl AUg ZS Man Aug 28 Jfrle Jscitattd T- j^t Mostly Aus Z9 tffj) Aug 30 f~" n->«tly . "V!^/" Sunny 79V52" 30% SOBfeSOOSStMC 7 9 ° F iSSSBSESRSSS 8 i ° F INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS PANGUITCH, Utah — Red Canyon Visitor Center and the Powell Ranger District invite you to join us for "Thursdays in the Canyon 2006." A solar scope will be available for viewing the sun at Red Canyon Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to noon on August 24 and 31, September 21 and 28, and October 5 and 19. Later in the evening, there will be telescopes available for star and planet viewing, along with a brief talk about the night sky. This program will start at 9 p.m. on August 31 at the Red Canyon Campground, with additional programs on September 28, and October 5 and 19 at 8 p.m. Bryce Canyon National Park rangers and volunteers are working with the Powell Ranger District to bring these great opportunities to you. We hope to see you there! Stop by the Red Canyon Visitor Center or the Powell Ranger District office in Panguitch to purchase Bryce Canyon Natural History Association and Smokey the Bear merchandise. Red Canyon Visitor Center and Campground are located along Utah State Highway 12, just a few miles'east of the U.S. Highway 89 junction. For more information, please contact the Red Canyon Visitor Center at Perkins estimates that the street value (435) 676-2676 or the Powell Ranger of the 5,400 marijuana plants have a street District office at (435) 676-9300. value of well over a million dollars. M^mSBBVSIMu 7 9 F Protx^ -TftLjr Plant* Fmm Wi« H u t 20% 0% out in the woods and to report anything unusual. In 2005, in California alone, Forest Service Officers eradicated over one million marijuana plants. In 2003, the Pine Valley Ranger District, another DTO operation of sixteen hundred plants were eradicated and 4 men arrested. In 2002, 8900 plants were eradicated in Northern Utah. As our border States put pressure on these organizations through arrest and convictions, the DTO's are moving to remote areas in other states such as the counties in Southern Utah. Sgt Perkins reiterated how successful this case has been due to public willingness to become involved. If you have information on a marijuana grow, please contact your/Sheriff Department, your local Narcotics Task Force, Utah Highway Patrol or the law enforcement section within the Federal Agencies such as DEA, Forest Service, BLM and Park Service. These agencies work together, to bring DTO cases to trial. It is our hope to cause a deterrent to those who may consider coming to Southern Utah for growing marijuana. There are times when rewards are paid for information and that those reporting criminal activity do not have to leave their name. RED CANYON VISITOR CENTER OFFERS FALL There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. Nelson Mandela PRESORT STANDARD §2iiLyL^#V* 435-676-2621 ^ ^ f J ^ W ^ Fax43WI36-2700 PAID • iwummeoo P o BOX 472 LOA, UTAH snapshot@scinternet.net Loa, Utah 84747 PERMIT No. 5 BOXHOLDER THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER is owned and operated by Snapshot Multimedia and distributed weekly to ail of Garfield County. Its purpose is to inform residents about local issues and events. Thank you. , J ^ ^ * Phone: |