Four illegal aliens caught growing pot in Utah wilderness
Growing operation discovered in Utah
Photo: Garfield County Sheriff's Office/ABC4.com
On Monday, the Garfield County Sheriffs Office arrested four illegal aliens at a marijuana growing operation, after being spotted by a hunter. Their marijuana crop had a street value of $413,000.
Those arrested were Monica Saldicar, 31, Eleno Angulo, 45, Jesus Ruiz Sepulveda, 51, and Emiliano Arellano, 29, all are Mexican nationals. Sheriffs deputies also allegedly found a semi-automatic pistol and methamphetamines.
Garfield County Sheriff Danny Perkins told ABC4.com: I would like to express my appreciation to the bow hunter that called in the tip that led to the arrests today. He handled it perfectly: he spotted someone that seemed out of place, he didn't confront the individual but quickly left the scene and then immediately after called the Sheriff's office. This is how we would like everyone to handle these kind of sightings. We are still concerned because these grows present a serious public safety issue; these growers have weapons and present a threat to anyone they come in contact with. With hunting season underway we ask everyone who is enjoying the out-of-doors to use caution, and if you spot something or someone that seems out of place, please call the Sheriff's office immediately.
In addition to using U.S. public lands to smuggle drugs into this nation, the Mexican drug cartels are growing huge amounts of marijuana in our national parks.
It is estimated that the cartels produce 30 tons of pot in our parks annually.