ARRESTS CLIMB AS AUTHORITIES TAKE OUT DRUG FIELDS

Arrests stemming from marijuana eradication efforts in Missouri jumped almost 28 percent in 1995, the Missouri Highway Patrol said.

Working with local law enforcement agencies and the Missouri National Guard, the patrol located and destroyed 53,590,096 marijuana plants illegally being cultivated last year. As a result, 884 arrests were made compared to 613 in 1994.

"The total number of plants is down just a little bit, but total arrests are up quite a bit," said Lt. Kim Hull, a field operations officer with the patrol.

The seizures and arrests resulted from 997 cases. In addition to marijuana plants, 4,537 pounds of processed marijuana and 73 weapons were also recovered.

The areas of Southeast Missouri patrolled by Troop E in Poplar Bluff accounted for 2,282 pounds of processed marijuana being seized, more than one-half of the amount recovered. In 85 drug eradication cases in Troop E's territory, 51 arrests were made and 13 weapons recovered.

The bulk of marijuana in Southeast Missouri was found in Pemiscot County where 25 cases yielded 34 arrests, 57 cultivated plants, 77 Sinsemilla plants and 2,473 pounds of processed marijuana. Sinsemilla is a higher quality type of marijuana.

Eradication efforts are funded through a grant from the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency. The patrol coordinates efforts with local authorities while the National Guard assists by providing air support, particularly in the southern part of the state.

Spotters from above are vital to identifying marijuana fields. Hull said Mark Twain National Forest in south-central Missouri is a favorite spot since many places deep in the woods are well hidden.

"The only way to find them is from the air," Hull said.

Tips from citizens on the patrol's "Bad Weed" hotline again proved helpful. A total of 346 calls were made to the hotline in 1995. Hull said calls in the St. Louis area increased this year and led authorities to many indoor growers who use hydroponics equipment to cultivate the drug.

"Our program is successful because of the cooperation among the many different law enforcement agencies across the state," said Col. Fred M. Mills, patrol superintendent. "It is made even more successful by the support of Missouri citizens who want to help in the battle against illegal drugs. Together, all of us are making a difference."

Outdoor growers are spreading out their operations to prevent major fields from being lost, Hull said.

"We have noticed growers have kind of gotten away from larger plots. Where you used to find 1,000 plants, now you only find 200 to 500," he said. "Instead of having one huge plot, they might have 10 smaller ones."

In Southeast Missouri, the most plants were discovered in Butler County where 491 cultivated plants and 81 Sinsemilla plants were found in 14 cases.

Statistics from other area counties:

-- Stoddard: 10 cases, 149 cultivated plants, 179 Sinsemilla plants, 11 arrests.

-- Bollinger: two cases, 299 Sinsemilla plants, one arrest.

-- Cape Girardeau: 54 cultivated plants, 24 Sinsemilla plants, 30 pounds of processed marijuana, three arrests.

-- New Madrid: five cases, three cultivated plants, 30 Sinsemilla plants, 16 pounds of processed marijuana, one arrest.

-- Scott: one case, 38 cultivated plants, no arrests.

-- Perry, one case, 18 cultivated plants, one arrest.

Those with information concerning marijuana growers are urged to call the patrol's confidential hotline at 1-800-BAD-WEED.