The V.I. Police Department confiscated 1,036 marijuana plants uprooted from outdoor growing fields all over the island as they wrapped up their semiannual drug eradication sweep of St. Croix.
Last week residents of St. Croix heard the buzz of helicopters sweeping the island looking for illegal marijuana fields. The sweeps began Sept. 4 and ended Friday, the V.I. Police Department announced in a press release Wednesday.
VIPD officers said the sweeps are random, not targeted, sweeping the entire island looking for telltale signs of growing marijuana. Inside the helicopter, officers use binoculars to spot the cultivation patches.
Outdoor grows are easy to spot, according to the department’s news release, which noted, “Growers tend to take good care of their product, watering them often and giving them lots of sunlight.”
Marijuana plants were uprooted from east to west, including in Estates Hogensburg, Bonne Esperance, Fredensberg, Upper Love, La Grange, Stony Ground, Smithfield, Rust Up Twist, Whim, Sion Farm, Golden Rock, Cotton Valley, Pleasant Valley and Christiansted town. In addition to the marijuana plants, police found three rifles in a bushy area of Estate Cane Carlton.
In addition to members of the V.I. National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, VIPD officers from the Special Operations Bureau, Special Response Team, K9 and Marine Unit were involved in the operation.
Acting Police Chief James Parris said the twice a year eradication serves as a deterrent to those who grow and sell marijuana.
“The possession of marijuana is illegal, and as long as it is against the law, the VIPD will enforce the law,” he said.
The semi-annual drug eradication program is made possible through air assets and funds provided by the VING Counter Drug Task Force.
