INTERAGENCY COOPERATION

By Sr. Agent John J. Barker

     On July 21, 2002, Region IV wildlife agents worked together with two fellow law enforcement agencies to seize and destroy approximately ten marijuana plants.

     Region IV agents discovered the seven-foot plants the day before, just north of Harrisonburg in Catahoula Parish. The plants were found growing in a thicket beside a deer food plot.  Small saw-tooth oak trees, planted for early-fall deer mass along the edge of the food plot, and the marijuana plants were both fertilized with what appeared to be the same fertilizer. Agents documented their find and contacted the Louisiana State Police and the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office.

     Officers from the Louisiana State Police flew a helicopter over the area in search of other plants, but no more were found.  Wildlife Agents, State Troopers and Sheriff’s Deputies then pulled the plants up and transported them to the Jonesville Airport where the plants were photographed and destroyed.  The plants had an estimated street value of $15,000.

     At the airport, officers involved from all three agencies gathered around the helicopter and marijuana plants for our cover photo.

      Such an operation serves as a good example of cooperation between the LDWF Enforcement Division and other law enforcement entities.  This type cooperation will become increasingly important as the Enforcement Division’s role in our nation’s Homeland Security is defined, and as wildlife agents continue to take their rightful place in the law enforcement community.

Pictured in the photo from left to right:  

Standing - Deputy Tom Rickens, Sr. Agent Gary Neal, Sgt. Brian McDowell, Deputy Miranda Clifton, Sr. Agent James Parish, and Deputy Robbie Mayo. 

Kneeling – State Police Pilot John Kennedy, and Sr. Agents Joey Tarver, John Barker, Bill Futrell, and Russ Kiser.