[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BATTLE AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE

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                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you my 
pride and deep gratitude for a group of people who have truly made a 
difference in our battle against the illegal drug trade that threatens 
the very fabric of American society.
  As you know, Mexican drug cartels have recently been operating large 
scale marijuana growing and processing operations in our National 
Forests, National Parks, and Bureau of Land Management lands. Growing 
marijuana and conducting illegal drug activities on our public lands is 
nothing new. What is new is the extremely large scale of the 
operations, the heavily armed growers, and the aggressive resistance 
toward law enforcement. With assault rifles and booby traps, these 
criminals, the majority of whom are in this country illegally, are 
fearlessly intent on protecting a collective enterprise that grosses 
billions of dollars each year. They have made parts of our public 
lands, traditionally used for recreation and hunting, unsafe to visit.
  Because of sophisticated growing techniques which employ drip 
irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and lethal pesticide compounds, these 
operations inflict serious damage on the environment. Furthermore, 
these operations are intertwined with the trade and manufacture of 
other illegal drugs such as meth, heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy.
  Mr. Speaker, these criminal operations are attracted to public lands 
not only because of their remote locations, but also because our 
federal land agencies have very small law enforcement forces. They were 
never designed to combat crime on such a massive scale. Who then can 
draw a powerful line in the sand and both force the invading cartels 
away from our public lands and protect the public from them and the 
scourge of drugs they produce?
  In my district, this challenge has been taken up by a coalition of 
local law enforcement professionals who have voluntarily formed task 
forces large enough to disrupt these enormous operations and send a 
message that such criminal activity will not be tolerated. They have 
let the cartels know with certainty that they will pay dearly if they 
operate in our back yard.
  To challenge such a formidable criminal enterprise, it takes 
intelligence, bravery, and an unselfish sense of purpose. I have 
witnessed all of those characteristics displayed in exemplary fashion 
in southern Oregon and northern California. In the past few weeks, a 
task force of over 175 people and 19 agencies, led by Jackson County 
Sheriff Mike Winters and Siskiyou County Sheriff Rick Riggins, dealt a 
telling blow on the cartels' illicit activities on our public lands.
  In a series of well-timed and meticulously executed raids on both 
sides of the Oregon/California border, this amazing group of dedicated 
individuals eradicated 27.6 tons of marijuana from our public lands in 
a matter of a few days! They removed well over $320,000,000 from the 
drug trade and forcefully sent the message to the cartels that they 
will not be able to do business as usual in southern Oregon and 
northern California.

  Mr. Speaker, it is not hard to imagine the work and commitment 
involved in assembling so many able and dedicated people from 
municipal, county, state, and federal agencies. With no single law 
enforcement agency large enough to handle the task, these dedicated law 
enforcement professionals and volunteers formed to combat a common 
enemy that was dealing massive amounts of drugs and creating mayhem on 
our forest landscape. Driven by sense of duty, respect for the law, and 
a commitment to protect the public, they got the job done.
  Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, I am very proud and appreciative of 
what these outstanding people have done for us. I know that all of my 
colleagues join me today in saluting their stellar performance. We are 
honored to extend to them the gratitude of our entire nation.
  Please join me in congratulating these agencies and individuals for a 
job well done. We owe them so much for their sacrifice and dedication.
  Jackson County Sheriffs Office, Jackson County Search and Rescue, 
Jackson County Narcotics Enforcement Team (JACNET), Siskiyou County 
Sheriffs Office S.W.A.T., Douglas County Sheriffs Office D.I.N.T., 
Klamath Falls Police Department S.W.A.T., Josephine County Sheriffs 
Office, Shady Cove Police Department, Bureau of Land Management, Law 
Enforcement Section, United States Forest Service, Law Enforcement 
Section, Oregon State Police, SWAT and MRT Units, US Immigrations and 
Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.), Drug Enforcement Agency, Medford Office, 
Federal Bureau of Investigation, S.W.A.T., Portland Police Bureau, 
S.W.A.T., Jackson County Fire District #3, and Oregon Department of 
Forestry.

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