Operation Cash Crop:::
Missouri’s Operation Cash Crop program is a combined effort between the Missouri Sheriff’s Association, DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Together with federal funding from the DEA and manpower provided Sheriff’s Offices and the Highway Patrol, we work to eliminate the production and sale of marijuana throughout the state.
Marijuana is considered a cash crop due to the fact that based on DEA standards a single marijuana plant at maturity produces $1000.00 of finished product. It can be grown virtually anywhere from major cities to furthest reaches of the back woods. Missouri’s mostly rural setting, moderate climate, and lengthy growing season helps rank Missouri near the top of all fifty states in production and quality of marijuana.
Marijuana growers adapt to their surroundings based on personal need, their location, and law enforcement pressure. In cities their plants may be grown indoors or mixed in with other nearby vegetation to disguise the plants. In rural areas marijuana growers generally start their plants indoors as seedlings in early spring then move them to remote locations after the fear of frost. Depending on the location and probability of being seen growers may return periodically to check and care for their plants throughout the growing season. They will return once more prior to the first fall frost to harvest their plants.
They have learned that having their land seized, as a result of growing marijuana on it is not profitable so they use yours instead.
Signs to look for include but are not limited to strange vehicles parked along country roads, paths across your property leading to or near a water supply during summer months, and discarded buckets or flowerpots used to transport and water the plants.
Methamphetamine:::
Methamphetamine “Meth” is a synthetic (man-made) stimulant that is extremely addictive, inexpensive and relative easy to produce. Meth is produced in clandestine laboratories (within homes, garages, barns, wooded areas and sheds) by using inexpensive over-the-counter medications and large amounts of chemicals, which causes a foul odor when it is being cooked. A few of these common ingredients include cold pills, batteries, coffee filters, starting fluid, acetone and other common household chemicals.
Methamphetamine can be produced in several different ways, therefore its appearance can vary dramatically. Typically, the drug is a yellowish powder that can be injected, smoked, snorted or ingested orally by the abuser. These abusers face many serious physical problems, including rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, damage to brain vessels and inflammation of the heart lining. Overdoes of Meth can easily cause hypothermia, convulsions and death.
Methamphetamine, also referred to as speed, them crystal, crank and fast, has increased heavily within the rural areas and displays the following characteristics to those who use Meth. Users appear disorganized agitated, physically active and excited, mentally handicapped, delayed in movement, slurred speech, sunken eyes and cheeks, rotten teeth and malnutrition. In addition, abusers of Meth may have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion and insomnia that can cause them to stay awake for several days in a row.
Club Drugs/Date Rape Drugs:::
Club drugs are the alarming increase of dangerous substances that are being used by teens and young adults during parties, including dance clubs, bars and “raves”. These club drugs consist of substances as Ecstasy, GHB, Rohypnol and many others.
These substances are introduces into the parties and/or “raves”, which are set up by promoters in houses, barns, warehouses, clubs and secret locations. “Raves” are frequently advertised as alcohol-free, giving a false sense of security. These substances are used among the attendants of the “raves” and enables the user to dance for extended periods of time, which increases their blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature up to 108 degrees and puts them in serious risk of dehydration, hypothermia, heart or kidney failure, seizures or death.
Ecstasy, known as “E”, is found in a powder capsule and tablet form. This substance produces a “fake euphoria” for up to six hours, but produces serious and unpleasant side effects that can last up to 24 hours.
GHB, known as liquid ecstasy, is a depressant that has been involved in the poisonings, overdoes and “date rapes”. GHB is mistakenly considered a harmless drug that can be combined with alcoholic drinks, because it is virtually undetectable because it is odorless. GHB when used or ingested can cause severe breathing problems, confusion, memory loss, loss of consciousness, nausea or sudden coma.
Rohypnol, known as “Roofies”, is a benzodiazepine that is illegal within the U.S. It is a tasteless, odorless and dissolves quickly and easily into carbonated beverages. Similar to GHB, this substance has been involved with poisoning, overdoses, sexual assaults, and “date rapes”, which ultimately causes the victim to be unaware of the events.
Common traits of users of club drugs included muscle tension, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, blurred vision, tremors, rapid eye movement, chills, dehydration, seizures or strokes.
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