Copter Seeks Out Drugs

Fri., Aug. 5, 1994

From Staff Reports

State agents using a helicopter to try to spot marijuana patches angered a few Bonner County residents Thursday.

The county commissioners’ office fielded about five telephone calls from residents in the Gold Creek and Samuels area north of Sandpoint, complaining of a green helicopter with guns harassing them.

Wayne Longo, a special agent for the Idaho Department of Law Enforcement, said the National Guard helicopter was making its annual run in search of outdoor marijuana crops.

The helicopter was not armed, although the agents inside were, Longo said, adding that the chopper was flying at approved heights and was not buzzing residents.

The helicopter finished its search of Bonner County Thursday afternoon without finding any marijuana fields. Agents have also made flyovers in Benewah County.

Longo said this is the perfect time of year to spot the leafy green patches because all the other vegetation is dry and brown.

“As hot as it is, if someone wants to keep something growing they are going to have to water it,” he said. “That makes those green plants easy to spot from the air.”

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