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View Full Version : Pilotless drones to battle pot growers



LiberalNation
04-04-2008, 10:17 AM
I bet these cost a pretty penny.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080404/ap_on_re_us/forest_drones;_ylt=AuXhz_DbRpU4XlqNGL9lQiRvzwcF

BILLINGS, Mont. - The U.S. Forest Service has bought a pair of flying drones to track down marijuana growers operating in remote California woodlands.

Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey, who oversees the Forest Service, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the pilotless, camera-equipped aircraft will allow law enforcement officers to pinpoint marijuana fields and size up potential dangers before agents attempt arrests.

Rey said there are increasing numbers of marijuana growers financed by Mexican drug cartels using California's forests to stage their operations.

"We're dealing with organized efforts now — not just a couple of hippies living off the land and making some cash on the side," Rey said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C.

The purchase of the two SkySeer drones, for a combined $100,000, reflects rising interest in remote-controlled aircraft among law enforcement, science and other government agencies.

DragonStryk72
04-04-2008, 10:20 AM
lol, kinda like the hippie comment.

If it is getting worse, then yeah, they definitely need to improve their methods. the unmanned probes are probably the best solution, as it allows them to search without endangering themselves. Also, the $100000 is a fairly sound investment really, it isn't that huge of a drop, and it does the job in the safest manner they can really hope for

5stringJeff
04-04-2008, 05:52 PM
Because pot growers are destroying America. :rolleyes:

Dilloduck
04-04-2008, 05:55 PM
Because pot growers are destroying America. :rolleyes:

I think they are more concerned about the spreading influence the Mexican drug cartels. Not a nice bunch of amigos.

Sitarro
04-04-2008, 07:06 PM
This seems like overpriced techie shit. A 2 mile range, battery powered..... what a joke. They will crash them both within a month and won't get a thing out of that 100,000 dollars.

The forestry service doesn't have access to satellite imagery? Seem like that would be a great deal more effective, even if it is just photos taken each week. You have the two idiots playing with RC aircraft and sit them in a room analyzing aerial photography. We have satellites that can tell you what type of golf ball you are playing, I would think that they could detect activity by growers in remote forest.

There is another solution....... LEGALIZE IT....... tax it when sold and control the use the way alcohol(a much more dangerous drug by a power of 1000)is controlled. No driving while under the influence, no underage smoking and allow people to grow limited amounts for themselves the same way we are allowed to make our own beer. Isn't it about time we quit listening to the imbeciles in the DEA and grow up. Pot is truly the least dangerous of any drugs I have ever experimented with, legal or illegal, it is a waste of resources that could be used fighting serious lawlessness.

Have any of you taken a valium, one of the most prescribed drugs on the planet and who knows how many people driving next to you are dropping those everyday..... it makes you absolutely stupid and if you ad alcohol.... ughhhh! This shit drug is not only legal, it's prescribed in outrageous numbers by doctors!

avatar4321
04-04-2008, 08:16 PM
and to think they cant even get us computers with a 3 year old operating system on it.

DragonStryk72
04-05-2008, 12:25 PM
Because pot growers are destroying America. :rolleyes:

They seem to be specifically going after it due to it spreading spreading beyond just a bunch of hippies.

mrg666
04-05-2008, 01:21 PM
does homo grow it or just smoke it :salute:

diuretic
04-05-2008, 07:34 PM
The best thing to happen to organised crimed was marijuana prohibition. Here we have organised criminals in what would be industrial-type production of weed. The blame for this lies squarely with the legislators who prohibited marijuana and continue to prohibit it. If it were not prohibited you could grow your own in your backyard and cut organised crime out of a nice little earner.

Kathianne
04-05-2008, 07:38 PM
The best thing to happen to organised crimed was marijuana prohibition. Here we have organised criminals in what would be industrial-type production of weed. The blame for this lies squarely with the legislators who prohibited marijuana and continue to prohibit it. If it were not prohibited you could grow your own in your backyard and cut organised crime out of a nice little earner.

Agreed. Should be legal.

Mr. P
04-05-2008, 08:27 PM
The best thing to happen to organised crimed was marijuana prohibition. Here we have organised criminals in what would be industrial-type production of weed. The blame for this lies squarely with the legislators who prohibited marijuana and continue to prohibit it. If it were not prohibited you could grow your own in your backyard and cut organised crime out of a nice little earner.


Agreed. Should be legal.

Yup! We'd save millions/yr too!