Eradication Operation Leads to Shooting Incident on TNF

On Sunday, October 22, a 20-year-old Hispanic male (undocumented alien) was shot during a pot farm eradication operation conducted by Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) on the Tonto National Forest, north of Sunflower in the Mt. Peeley/Deer Creek/201 road area. The site was found by a hiker on Wednesday, October 18 who initially reported it as an abandoned site. During the eradication operation, Forest Service law enforcement officers encountered four armed suspects. One suspect pointed a loaded rifle at a law enforcement officer. The officer fired at the suspect three times. The suspect is in stable condition in a local hospital and is cooperating with authorities. The other three armed suspects escaped and an air/land search operation was begun by officials from the Forest Service, the Department of Public Safety, Maricopa County Sheriff's Officer and Gila County. At least three helicopters were used for the search. Gila County authorities detained a possible suspect (another undocumented alien) until he was picked by FS authorities for questioning. 3,100 plants, covering approximately 4 acres, were eradicated. More plants have been discovered and the operation continues. Between 2004 and October 23, 2006, four of the six national forests in Arizona have been involved in marijuana plant eradication operations. The following figures are approximate numbers: Apache-Sitgreaves NF: 0 number of sites; 0 plants Coronado NF: 0 sites; 0 plants Coconino NF: 2 sites; 19,982 plants Kaibab NF: 1 site; 12 plants Prescott NF: 2 sites; 3,550 plants Tonto NF: 13 sites; 132,047 plants Total sites, 4 AZ national forests, 2004 - 2006 (through Oct 23, 2006) = 18 sites Total plants eradicated, 4 AZ national forests, 2004 - 2006 (through Oct 23, 2006) = 155,591 plants.