NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact:

Capt. Christian T. Ricks

(573) 526-6115

Q01062

January 30, 2006



EMPHASIS: Operation Cash Crop 2005





Millions of marijuana plants were eradicated during the 2005 Operation Cash Crop program. Law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies work together each year to destroy this illegal crop. Statistics indicate officers destroyed over 10,000 cultivated and sinsemilla plants from indoor and outdoor operations, and over 4.5 million wild marijuana plants. Officers seized104 pounds of processed marijuana, made a total of 450 arrests, and seized 147 firearms related to the growing and trafficking of marijuana.



Operation Cash Crop is a cooperative effort and includes the following agencies: the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri National Guard, Missouri Sheriff’s Offices, city and county police departments, Missouri Conservation Commission, U.S. Forest Services, and the Drug Enforcement Agency.



“Our cooperative efforts continue to locate and destroy this illegal crop,” said Colonel Roger D. Stottlemyre, superintendent of the Patrol. “Citizens have also assisted us in locating marijuana and we appreciate their involvement.”



The bad weed hotline, 1-800-223-9333, is free and confidential. Help Missouri law enforcement keep drugs off our streets and away from our children.