White House Drug Czar Highlights Marijuana Cultivation in Shasta County, CA

Kickoffs Multi-Agency Marijuana Eradication Operation & Conducts An On-Site Visit to A Marijuana Plantation

John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and President George W. Bush's "Drug Czar," will be in Shasta County, California this Thursday, July 12, 2007, to conduct a marijuana eradication site visit as well as to attend the kickoff of a Federal, State and local law enforcement marijuana eradication initiative, Operation Alesia, a three-tiered marijuana eradication initiative coordinated by the California National Guard's Counterdrug Taskforce and the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.

"America's public lands are under attack," said Director John P. Walters. "Instead of being appreciated as national treasures, they are being exploited and destroyed by foreign drug trafficking organizations and heavily armed Mexican marijuana cartels who have turned them into ground zero for drug cultivation. These violent drug traffickers are endangering America's outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen, and the sensitive ecosystems of our wilderness."

Following the marijuana eradication site visit, Director Walters and officials with the United States Forest Service, the California National Guard, and the Shasta County Sheriff's Office will participate in a media availability, providing a briefing of Operation Alesia and the day's eradication activities.

WHO:
John P. Walters, National Drug Control Policy
Bernie Weingardt, U.S. Forest Service
Tim Swann, California National Guard
Tom Bosenko, Shasta County Sheriff

WHAT:
Press Conference on Operation Alesia, Marijuana Eradication Initiative

WHERE:
U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center
Shasta-Trinity Conference Room
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, California 96002

WHEN:
Thursday, July 12, 2007
2:00 P.M.