tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post8293016978728481546..comments2023-10-10T04:18:23.631-04:00Comments on The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Two Men Busted for Meth Lab at New River Gorge National RiverSmokyMountainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288538940523306530noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-17043669351514386332011-06-26T15:31:05.756-04:002011-06-26T15:31:05.756-04:00Jeff - great info. I new Organ Pipe was used as a ...Jeff - great info. I new Organ Pipe was used as a major route, but wasn't aware of those stats. Parks in the SW, especially in CA have a lot of problems with drigs as well.<br /><br />In my view, I think it's time for the military to get involved, and/or legalize marajuana.The Smoky Mountain Hikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05019731497259511008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-23186246766717581842011-06-26T11:18:17.799-04:002011-06-26T11:18:17.799-04:00Increasing illegal activities in national parkland...Increasing illegal activities in national parklands along the U.S. border put park resources, and park staff, at risk.<br /><br />Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona is on the front line. Over the last 2 years, park rangers have arrested and indicted 385 felony smugglers, seized 40,000 lbs. of marijuana, and intercepted 3,800 illegal aliens. The Border Patrol estimated that 500 people per day (180,000 per year) and 700,000 pounds of drugs entered the U.S. illegally through the monument per year. (<a href="http://www.npca.org/media_center/fact_sheets/security.html" rel="nofollow">cite</a>)<br /><br />Even the National Park Service <a href="http://www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/boarder-concerns.htm" rel="nofollow">warns tourists</a> to be very wary within their own national monument:<br /><br />Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument shares the border with Mexico for 30 miles. This is a remote region.<br /><br />Visitors should be aware that drug smuggling routes pass through the park. If you see any activity which looks illegal, suspicious, or out of place, please do not intervene. Note your location. Call 911 or report it to a ranger as quickly as possible.Jeffhttp://internetbrothers.org/noreply@blogger.com