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UPSET assists DEA with cannabis eradication program

MARQUETTE — Concerns were raised among Skandia and surrounding residents when an increase in law enforcement presence and helicopters were seen flying over residential areas Wednesday afternoon.

The Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team assisted the U.S. Drug Enforcement Association Wednesday with the Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program, which is the only nationwide law enforcement program that exclusively targets drug trafficking organizations involved in cannabis cultivation, according to the DEA website.

This is done by flying helicopters over areas to look for illegal cannabis grow operations.

Because cannabis is still illegal according to federal law, the flyovers are done routinely, said Detective Lt. Tim Sholander with UPSET.

“They basically request our assistance in removing any illegal marijuana plants,” Sholander said. “It doesn’t mean we pull every marijuana plant we find. We’re looking for violations of state law, out of the ordinary, excessive, that would meet federal guidelines as to what cases they would take.”

With the changing recreational marijuana laws, Sholander assured law enforcement was not trying to raise panic in those who are growing within their legal limits, but are making sure state laws are being followed and marijuana is not being grown in excessive amounts, he said.

Through the DCE/SP the DEA eradicated 3,078,418 outdoor cannabis plants and 303,654 indoor plants for a total of over 3,300,000 plants in 2017.

This resulted in the arrest of 4,502 cultivators, the seizure of $20.5 million and the seizure of over 2,800 weapons, according to the Cannabis Eradication Program page on the DEA website.

“There’s some value to these flights because we’re not out there to harass the average joe,

we’re just making sure they are following the law and staying within the parameters of the law,” Sholander added.

Though he is not at liberty to say exactly how long these flights will be conducted in the area, Sholander said flights should be expected throughout the state over the next few weeks.

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