Attorney General Lockyer Announces 2006 Campaign Against Marijuana Planting Sets New Seizure Record

(SACRAMENTO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced the state Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 2006 Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) set a new record with the seizure of 1,675,681 plants during the eradication season. The total surpasses last years’ record-breaking season by 540,989 plants. The marijuana eradicated by CAMP in 2006 had an estimated street value of more than $6.7 billion.

“These record-breaking numbers reflect CAMP’s continued, remarkable success in ridding California of illegal large-scale marijuana gardens,” said Lockyer. “Our program serves as a model for all marijuana eradication programs, thanks to the dedication of the state, local and federal law enforcement officers who make CAMP work.”

This season, CAMP conducted 477 raids in 34 counties during the traditional growing season, which runs from late July through early October. In addition to the plant eradication, officers made 27 arrests and seized 29 weapons. In 2006, 80 percent of the seized, illegal marijuana was located on public land, including state and national parks and forests. The remainder of the eradicated plants were located on private land, including ranches, vineyards and property owned by corporations. Since the CAMP program began in 1983, agents have eradicated more than 6.9 million plants with an estimated street value of $27.6 billion.

Headed by the DOJ’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), CAMP works with various local, state and federal agencies to locate and eradicate large-scale, illegal outdoor marijuana gardens. Agencies that participate in the CAMP program include: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Office of National Drug Control Policy; the U.S. Bureau of Land Management; the U.S. Forest Service; the U.S. National Park Service; the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; the California National Guard; the California Department of Fish and Game; California State Parks; and local law enforcement agencies in 34 counties.

Plant seizures have increased over the past few years due to the deployment of more CAMP teams throughout the state, advancements in aerial surveillance techniques and transportation of officers, and larger garden sizes. Five teams covering five regions in the state worked for months to protect public lands from illegal large-scale marijuana growers. There were no officer-involved shootings and no fatalities.

The marijuana growing season starts in mid-April. Plants are harvested in late September or early October. A summary of the 2006 CAMP season is attached.