Drug Cartels: a new threat in our forests?

For most hikers in our western states, the biggest concern might be running into a grizzly bear or mountain lion.  But now it appears there is a new threat in our national forests, and it walks on two legs sporting ak-47s.  This, according to the Christian Science Monitor, which notes that increasing numbers of drug manufacturers are now infesting our national forests, and they are often armed and dangerous.  Indeed, marijuana cultivation has increased dramatically, and seizures from authorities have jumped tenfold in California alone from 45,000 plants in 1994 to nearly 500,000 plants just last year.  With the environmental impacts of such activity devastating native species, here’s hoping the feds continue their effective anti-drug hunting campaign.