 
04-04-2008, 11:52 AM
|  | Able To Roll A Joint Able to roll a joint | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The light side of the moon.
Posts: 95
| |  Pilotless Drones to Battle Pot Growers | |
Quote:
The U.S. Forest Service has bought a pair of flying drones to track down marijuana growers operating in remote California woodlands.
 (ABC News Photo Illustration)
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.
Once used almost exclusively by defense and intelligence agencies, drones are now routinely flown by the Department of Homeland Security to patrol the Mexican border. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hopes to use them on weather missions.
The two Forest Service drones differ from those used by other agencies. They're lighter — less than five pounds apiece — and can fly for only about an hour.
Sold by Octatron of La Verne, Calif., the battery-powered SkySeer can fly at under 30 miles per hour, has a two-mile range and is operated by a two-man crew on the ground, according to the company. One of the drones bought by the Forest Service was equipped with a thermal camera for nighttime flights.
The purchase was disclosed in documents obtained through a freedom of information request filed by the group Public Employees For Environmental Responsibility.
The group's executive director, Jeff Ruch, questioned whether the Forest Service needed the machines. He said the purchase reflected a "boys with toys" mentality within the agency and that manned aircraft flyovers were adequate.
| ABC News: Narc Drones to Catch Pot Growers |
04-04-2008, 11:55 AM
|  | Veteran Smoker Mr. Ganja | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Up to my ass in nugs
Posts: 2,336
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What a waste of tax dollars...two mile range. |
04-04-2008, 02:11 PM
|  | Super Stoner Mr. Ganja | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North of mexico and south of Canada
Posts: 9,389
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Didn't ya just know it was just a matter of time before law enforcement began flying those things to catch civilians. Wait till they start arming them
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"I suppose I always knew America would eventually break the planet, like some ghastly, hyperactive toddler that gets hold of a mobile phone and then smashes it repeatedly against the edge of a table". Quote from british journalist. |
04-04-2008, 06:59 PM
|  | Marijuana Toker Marijuana Toker | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: iowa
Posts: 129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by medicineman  Wait till they start arming them | wow thats a scary thought
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04-04-2008, 07:04 PM
|  | forest ranger Mr. Ganja  | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: northern california
Posts: 27,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by medicineman ........ Wait till they start arming them |
they're gonna have to. 
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04-04-2008, 07:21 PM
|  | Stoner Stoner | | Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 770
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Yep, a hundred grand you cloud buy two cesna's and pilot two planes.....I'm sure they already have seized planes they could use.....BS man.....but thats exactly why I left cali....They are in your pocket for everything they can get their hands on |
04-04-2008, 08:13 PM
|  | Mr.Ganja Mr. Ganja | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: I may be old but im slow.
Posts: 2,910
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shamegame What a waste of tax dollars...two mile range. | You aint kidding,the government has completely lost their minds,a fukin drone with a 2 mile range.
I'd be willing to bet that drone takes a whole fleet of techs to operate the thing & to keep it up & running,thats some bid ass savings there  .
I hope that stupid drone crashes into a liquor store. |
04-04-2008, 08:30 PM
| | forest ranger Mr. Ganja | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: northern california
Posts: 27,839
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now they can say "We have to use drones because it's so dangerous out there". 
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