U.S. Department of Justice

National Drug Intelligence Center

National Drug Intelligence Center

319 Washington Street, 5th Floor

Johnstown, PA 15901-1622

(814) 532-4601

Marijuana and Methamphetamine 

Trafficking on Federal Lands

Threat Assessment

Product No. 2005-Q0317-007

February 2005
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National Drug Intelligence Center

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Marijuana and Methamphetamine 

Trafficking on Federal Lands 

Threat Assessment

Executive Summary 

Drug trafficking organizations, criminal groups, and independent traffickers frequently produce and transport illicit drugs, particularly marijuana and methamphetamine, in or through federal lands. Consequently, several hundred thousand cannabis 

plants are eradicated and hundreds of methamphetamine laboratories are seized each 

year from National Forest System lands managed by the Forest Service of the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture and lands managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The largest seizures of cannabis from federal lands have been in California and 

Kentucky, where the primary producers are Mexican drug trafficking organizations and 

Caucasian independent dealers, respectively. Mexican drug trafficking organizations and 

criminal groups smuggle marijuana across the Southwest Border through federal lands; 

Canada-based criminal groups, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and independent dealers 

smuggle marijuana through federal lands along the Northern Border.

Most methamphetamine laboratory seizures occur in the West Region and, to a lesser 

extent, the Pacific Region. See Figure 1 on page vi for a map of the six regions. Caucasian 

independent dealers are primary producers in the West Region; Mexican criminal groups 

dominate production in the Pacific Region. Mexican drug trafficking organizations and 

criminal groups are primary smugglers across the Southwest Border and through federal 

lands. Seizures on federal lands along the Northern Border are infrequent.

Cannabis cultivation by Mexican drug trafficking organizations on federal lands is 

likely to increase, as is methamphetamine production, especially in the Midwest and 

Southeast Regions.
Marijuana and Methamphetamine Trafficking on Federal Lands Threat Assessment

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Table of Contents

National Drug Intelligence Center

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Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Marijuana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Cultivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Methamphetamine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Marijuana and Methamphetamine Trafficking on Federal Lands Threat Assessment

vi

Figure 1. Six regions

Pacific Pacific

West 

Southwest Southwest Southeast Southeast

Midwest Midwest Northeast Northeast

Pacific

West 

Southwest Southeast

Midwest Northeast
National Drug Intelligence Center

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Marijuana and Methamphetamine 

Trafficking on Federal Lands 

Threat Assessment

February 2005

Background

The National Forest System (NFS), managed 

by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

Forest Service consists of 191.6 million acres of 

federally owned reserves composed of 155 

national forests and 22 national grasslands in 42 

states and Puerto Rico. NFS lands adjoin approximately 700 miles of the U.S.–Canada border and 

nearly 60 miles of the U.S.–Mexico border.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is the 

primary conservation agency in the United States 

and manages 23 percent of the land in the country, 

including 596 miles along the 3,987-mile U.S.–

Canada border and 751 miles along the 1,917-mile 

U.S.–Mexico border. The DOI comprises four 

bureaus with law enforcement authority—the 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National 

Park Service (NPS), Fish and Wildlife Service 

(FWS), and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Indian 

reservations are federal lands held in trust for the 

Indian Nations. Drug trafficking and abuse have 

reached significant levels on Indian reservations 

and are addressed in a forthcoming report. DOI statistics incorporate BIA seizure and eradication data. 

Marijuana and methamphetamine production 

and transportation on federal lands, in addition to 

posing an overall threat, contribute to the threat of 

violence against law enforcement and private 

individuals. According to USDA Forest Service 

and DOI reporting, cannabis cultivators and methamphetamine producers on federal lands often are 

armed, and cannabis grow sites and methamphetamine laboratories frequently are booby-trapped. 

Law enforcement officers have seized shotguns, 

handguns, automatic weapons, pipe bombs, 

grenades, and night vision equipment from drug 

producers and smugglers on federal lands. For 

instance, USDA Forest Service reporting indicates 

that the number of firearms seized on Forest Service 

lands during drug enforcement actions increased 

from 294 in 2002 to 346 in 2003.

Armed Marijuana Smugglers

In Arizona, officers from the Tohono O’Odham 

Police Department arrested five Mexican 

nationals in five incidents that occurred in January 2003. In each incident, the defendants 

crossed the Arizona portion of the U.S.–

Mexico border in a remote area of the Tohono 

O'Odham Reservation carrying marijuana and 

firearms. According to the officers, some of 

the defendants stated that they found the 

weapons en route, while others stated that 

they carried the weapons for their protection. 

All of the smugglers stated that the organizations for which they were smuggling marijuana did not provide them with the weapons. 

Source: Tohono O’Odham Police Department.
Marijuana and Methamphetamine Trafficking on Federal Lands Threat Assessment

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Drug production and transportation on federal 

lands often result in environmental damage, 

including the destruction of vegetation, contamination of waterways, and disruption to wildlife. 

Cannabis cultivators often clear timber and 

ground cover to prepare large grow areas. Pesticides used by cultivators to protect their crops 

often poison native wildlife and foliage. Furthermore, hired workers who live in camps near grow 

sites typically leave behind trash and human 

waste that must be removed in order to restore 

affected areas. Methamphetamine producers 

destroy the natural resources of federal lands. 

Hazardous chemical waste from methamphetamine laboratories on federal lands usually is 

dumped near production sites, along remote 

roads, and in abandoned mine shafts, polluting 

waterways, killing vegetation and wildlife, and 

rendering areas unsafe for visitors and employees. Moreover, methamphetamine laboratories are 

prone to fires and explosions and, therefore, are a 

significant forest fire risk.

Marijuana 

Cultivation

Much of the outdoor cannabis cultivation in 

the United States occurs in remote areas on federal lands. A considerable number of cannabis 

plants are eradicated each year on NFS lands and, 

to a lesser extent, DOI lands. The number of cannabis plants eradicated on NFS lands increased 

from 2002 (597,797) to 2003 (729,481) and far 

surpassed eradication on DOI lands in both 2002 

(168,645) and 2003 (263,356).

Law enforcement reporting indicates that cannabis cultivation sites have been discovered on 

NFS and DOI lands throughout the United States. 

However, most cannabis cultivation on federal 

lands appears to be occurring in California and 

Kentucky, where a large number of plants have 

been eradicated in recent years. Marijuana producers cultivate cannabis on federal lands in plots 

that vary in size from a few plants, cultivated by 

independent marijuana producers for personal 

use, to tens of thousands of plants cultivated by 

organized criminal groups for wholesale-level 

distribution.

Officials from the California Department of 

Justice report that under the state's Campaign 

Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) program, 

law enforcement officers seized a record 466,054 

cannabis plants in 182 raids in 32 counties during 

the fiscal year (FY) 2003 eradication season (July 

through October). Seventy-five percent of the 

plants seized were growing on public lands, and 

84 percent were, according to law enforcement 

sources, from grows operated specifically by 

Mexican DTOs. Twelve of the grows contained 

more than 10,000 plants each. Officials also 

Violence Against Law Enforcement

On August 9, 2002, a U.S. park ranger 

assigned to the Organ Pipe Cactus National 

Monument was shot and killed while assisting 

the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) in apprehending two Mexican citizens who had fled across 

the border into the United States. Mexican 

authorities requested the assistance of U.S. 

law enforcement when the two headed for the 

border in a sport-utility vehicle. The vehicle 

was abandoned in Arizona, and the suspects 

continued on foot. A USBP helicopter 

directed the ranger and USBP agents 

toward the individuals. One was easily apprehended; however, the other, while fleeing, 

shot the ranger. Mexican authorities subsequently shot the individual, who was identified as a high-ranking member of a drug 

trafficking organization (DTO). 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation Phoenix Field 

Office.
National Drug Intelligence Center

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seized 50 weapons and arrested 35 individuals 

during the raids. Agencies involved in the eradication operations included California Department of 

Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 

BLM, Forest Service, and California National 

Guard, as well as numerous county sheriff's 

departments and local police departments throughout the state. The CAMP eradication figures illustrate the trend toward Mexican DTOs increasingly 

growing cannabis in California to avoid smuggling 

marijuana across the U.S.–Mexico border. 

According to program statistics, the percentage of 

plants seized from grows operated by Mexican 

DTOs increased from 69 percent in FY2001 to 74 

percent in FY2002 to 84 percent in FY2003. In 

addition, officials report a significant increase in 

the number of plants cultivated in large cannabis 

grows, which typically are operated by Mexican 

DTOs. According to CAMP authorities, in the 

late 1990s large grows typically contained 3,000 

to 5,000 plants; in 2003 large grows typically 

contained 5,000 to 10,000 plants, with several 

having 30,000 to 40,000 plants. Correspondingly, 

marijuana seizures within 150 miles of the California portion of the U.S.–Mexico border have 

decreased during this time.

NFS Lands. California is a significant 

domestic marijuana source area, and producers 

cultivate substantial cannabis crops on federal 

lands within the state, particularly on NFS lands. 

According to Forest Service reporting, 8 of the 10 

leading national forests for cannabis eradication 

both in 2002 and 2003 were in California, stretching from the Cleveland National Forest near San 

Diego to the Six Rivers National Forest near the 

Oregon border, and they accounted for 420,866 of 

the 597,797 cannabis plants eradicated from NFS 

lands in 2002 (70%) and 540,567 of 729,481 cannabis plants eradicated in 2003 (74%). (See Figure 2 on page 4.) Once the site of the largest 

cannabis eradication on NFS lands, California’s 

Cleveland National Forest, located near San 

Diego, ranked second to Kentucky’s Daniel 

Boone National Forest. Nonetheless, the number 

of cannabis plants eradicated annually from the 

Cleveland National Forest alone exceeds that 

eradicated from lands in most individual states.

Law enforcement and Forest Service reporting 

indicates that Mexican DTOs control a significant 

portion of cannabis cultivation on federal lands in 

California and finance large cultivation sites (typically 10,000 to 30,000 plants). Mexican DTOs 

often employ and arm undocumented aliens from 

Mexico to live in camps at grow sites and tend the 

plots. Caucasian independent producers also produce marijuana on federal lands in California—

particularly in Northern California—and typically are longtime residents who run familybased operations or deal with brokers as part of a 

confederation of local cannabis cultivators.

Kentucky also is a significant domestic marijuana source area, and much of the cannabis cultivation in Kentucky occurs on federal lands, as it 

does in California. The Daniel Boone National Forest, located in Eastern Kentucky, led all National 

Forests for cannabis plants eradicated, accounting 

for 29 percent (213,229 of 729,481) of cannabis 

plants eradicated on NFS lands nationwide in 2003.

Many marijuana producers in Kentucky are 

residents of the area, mostly Caucasians, who run 

family-based, vertical operations (controlling cultivation through distribution) or who deal with a 

broker as part of a loose confederation of marijuana producers. According to the Forest Service, 

these groups and individuals typically maintain 

smaller plots of cannabis than do Mexican DTOs 

and usually travel long distances from their 

homes to sites scattered throughout remote areas 

of federal lands in order to tend their plots.

DOI Lands. Data regarding cannabis eradication on DOI lands is not available on a state-bystate or regional level. However, DOI eradication 

data for 2003 show that of the 263,356 cannabis 

plants eradicated on DOI lands, most were eradicated on lands managed by BLM (116,661 

plants), followed by BIA (99,778 plants), NPS 

(46,171 plants), and FWS (527 plants).
Figure 2. Top Ten National Forests for Eradication of Marijuana on Forest Service Lands in 2003

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, National Forest System Drug Enforcement Report 2003.

Marijuana and Methamphetamine Trafficking on Federal Lands Threat Assessment

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National Drug Intelligence Center

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Cannabis Seizures on National Forest System Lands in Other States

On October 8, 2004, Washington County Drug Task Force agents in southern Utah seized the largest cannabis grow site in that area’s history and arrested three Mexican national males at the site 

and a fourth the next day near St. George. A hiker discovered the cultivation site, which included 

over 1,500 cannabis plants, and reported it to law enforcement officers in the area. The site was 

located along a stream in a secluded area near the Pine Valley District of the Dixie National Forest. 

Task force agents subsequently seized 814 cannabis plants growing among scrub oak trees, 764 

plants in the drying stage, and 50 pounds of processed marijuana. Cultivators used a gravity-flow 

irrigation system that allowed water from a nearby stream to flow through plastic tubing to the grow 

site. Law enforcement authorities believe that several other accomplices may have left the area for 

southern California or Mexico.

Source: Washington County (UT) Drug Task Force.

On July 18, 2003, officials from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and the USDA Forest Service 

reported seizing more than 8,700 cannabis plants in the Mt. Olympus Wilderness Area of the 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The plants were discovered by a hiker who noticed an irrigation 

pipe leading to the grow site. The hiker notified Forest Service officers who, along with deputies from 

the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, searched the area and found a campsite, four males, two 144-

square-foot, mesh-covered nurseries containing small, potted cannabis plants, and a 6,000-squarefoot plot containing cannabis plants at various stages of growth. The officers also discovered a gravity 

drip-feed system that the cultivators were using to irrigate the site from a natural stream located 

more than one-quarter mile away. As the officers approached the site, the four suspects fled into the 

dense forest and evaded apprehension. Several days later, Forest Service officers arrested one of 

the suspected cultivators—a Mexican national—after identifying him as he walked on a road approximately 4 miles from the cultivation site. He was charged with manufacture of a controlled substance 

by cultivation and aiding and abetting. The other three suspects remain at large.

Source: Salt Lake County (UT) Sheriff’s Office.

On October 21, 2003, USDA Forest Service officials announced the eradication of 5,100 cannabis 

plants that were discovered in the Umpqua National Forest. Forest Service employees found the 

cannabis plants on September 29 while performing stream surveys in the National Forest. The 

employees then notified Forest Service agents. Forest Service agents, along with investigators from 

DEA, Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Roseburg Police 

Department, Oregon State Police, and Oregon National Guard, searched the area and determined 

that the grow consisted of four separate plots on 5 acres. No arrests were made in the incident. This 

is an unusually large cannabis grow for NFS lands in Oregon. Forest Service officials report that the 

size of outdoor cannabis cultivation sites discovered on NFS lands in Oregon has increased over 

the past several years. Previously, cannabis grows of 200 to 300 plants were considered large 

grows for NFS lands in the state; however, grows consisting of several thousand plants now are 

being discovered. The results of the increased seizures of larger cannabis grows can be seen in 

Forest Service seizure data: 24,930 cannabis plants were seized on NFS lands in Oregon during 

2002, a significant increase from 2001, when 2,354 plants were seized. Law enforcement reporting 

indicates that one reason for the increase is that in the past, local growers were responsible for the 

cannabis grows. Increasingly, however, Mexican DTOs are hiring workers—often illegal aliens—to 

establish and maintain the cannabis grows. Although this has resulted in more plants being cultivated, some law enforcement officials report that the plants are smaller and of lower quality.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Marijuana and Methamphetamine Trafficking on Federal Lands Threat Assessment

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Transportation

Mexican DTOs and criminal groups transport 

marijuana from Mexico to the United States 

through federal lands in private vehicles, often in 

quantities greater than 1,000 pounds. Mexican 

DTOs and criminal groups also employ groups of 

couriers to travel on foot from Mexico to the 

United States, carrying marijuana-filled backpacks (50-75 lb) or duffel bags (40-100 lb) 

through remote areas of federal lands. Once 

across the border, couriers typically leave the 

bags in designated areas for subsequent retrieval 

by another member of the organization already in 

the United States. USDA Forest Service and DOI 

reporting indicate that law enforcement personnel 

patrolling federal lands often discover stash sites 

containing large quantities of marijuana that 

likely have been left for subsequent pick up.

Canada-based criminal groups including outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) such as Hells 

Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC), Asian criminal groups, and independent smugglers often 

transport marijuana from Canada to the United 

States through federal lands. Marijuana smuggled 

from Canada to the United States through federal 

lands usually is transported by snowmobiles, 

watercraft, and backpackers traveling on foot. 

Amounts smuggled range from personal use 

quantities to 40- to 100-pound quantities concealed in duffel bags.

Seizure data indicate that a significant amount 

of marijuana is seized each year on NFS and DOI 

lands, particularly while being transported along 

the U.S.–Mexico border and, to a much lesser 

extent, the U.S.–Canada border. 

NFS Lands. Seizures of marijuana on NFS 

lands increased from 59,733 pounds in 2002 to 

71,766 pounds in 2003. Of the 71,766 pounds 

seized in 2003, 55,144 pounds (77%) were seized 

along the U.S.–Mexico border.

Forest Service reporting indicates that of the 

71,766 pounds of marijuana seized on NFS lands 

in 2003, most (55,144 lb) was seized on NFS 

lands in the Coronado National Forest in Arizona, 

the only national forest on the U.S.–Mexico border. 

The Forest Service reports that most of the marijuana seized in the Coronado National Forest had 

been smuggled from Mexico by Mexican DTOs.

DOI Lands. Seizure data indicate that marijuana seizures on federal lands most often occur 

on lands managed by DOI. The amount of marijuana seized on DOI lands has fluctuated in 

recent years from 259,314 pounds in 2001, to 

447,545 pounds in 2002, to 263,356 pounds in 

2003. Of the 263,356 pounds of marijuana seized 

in 2003 on DOI lands, the largest amount 

(127,149 lb) was seized on lands managed by 

FWS, followed by NPS (62,926 lb), BLM 

(11,697 lb), and BIA (8,449 lb). 

Figure 3. Cannabis and Marijuana Seizures, Department of the Interior Lands, 2003

Source: U.S. Department of the Interior.

147,946

Marijuana (lb)

Cannabis Plants

263,356
National Drug Intelligence Center

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Outlook

Cannabis cultivation by Mexican DTOs on 

federal lands likely will increase despite the considerable efforts of the Forest Service and DOI. 

The Forest Service reports that DTOs have 

increased the size and scope of their cannabis 

cultivation operations on NFS lands to include a 

greater number of large cannabis grow plots and 

irrigation systems and have increased security 

measures. For example, California Department of 

Justice officials report that under the state’s 

CAMP program, law enforcement officers seized 

a record 466,054 cannabis plants in 182 raids in 

32 counties during FY2003 eradication season 

(July through October). Seventy-five percent of 

the plants seized were growing on public lands, 

and 84 percent, according to law enforcement 

sources, came from grow sites operated by Mexican 

DTOs. Twelve grows contained more than 10,000 

plants each. Furthermore, CAMP reporting indicates that the percentage of plants seized from 

grows operated by Mexican DTOs increased from 

69 percent in FY2001, to 74 percent in FY2002, 

to 84 percent in FY2003. In addition, officials 

report a significant increase in the number of 

plants cultivated in large cannabis grows, which 

typically are operated by Mexican DTOs.

Marijuana Seizures in Big Bend National Park 

Big Bend National Park in Texas is likely a common transportation area for Mexican DTOs and criminal groups because it is situated in a remote area along the U.S.–Mexico border, is located 

between the Presidio and Del Rio ports of entry (POEs), and provides a direct connection to Interstate 10 via U.S. Highway 385. The amount of marijuana seized in Big Bend National Park has 

increased significantly in the past few years. The total of 8,703 pounds of marijuana seized in four 

incidents detailed below amounts to more than twice the marijuana (3,388 lb) seized during all of 

2001.

On December 15, 2002, U.S. Customs Service (USCS) agents observed two pickup trucks crossing 

into the park from Mexico at a remote low-water border crossing area and alerted NPS rangers and 

state and local law enforcement authorities. After the trucks traveled to Study Butte and the drivers 

transferred large bundles of marijuana to an awaiting tractor-trailer, officers arrested the occupants 

and seized 1,608 pounds of marijuana.

On December 23, 2002, NPS rangers and USBP agents seized 1,023 pounds of marijuana and 

arrested two individuals after stopping a pickup truck that appeared to be avoiding a border checkpoint by traveling on private roads. Officers discovered 420 bundles of marijuana in the extended 

cab area of the pickup.

On January 3, 2003, a park ranger stopped a pickup truck as it was leaving the park. The operator 

of the vehicle was unable to produce a driver’s license and admitted to the ranger that he was transporting marijuana. A subsequent search with the assistance of USBP agents revealed 2,854 

pounds of marijuana concealed inside the truck bed, toolbox, and rear seat and in large plastic barrels on the bed of the truck. In another incident on the same day, rangers discovered an abandoned 

pickup with 3,218 pounds of marijuana concealed in the same manner. 

Source: National Park Service Ranger Activities Division.
Marijuana and Methamphetamine Trafficking on Federal Lands Threat Assessment

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Methamphetamine 

Production

Mexican criminal groups, who often operate 

high capacity superlabs, are the primary producers of methamphetamine in the Pacific and Southwest Regions; however, Caucasian independent 

producers also are active, typically operating low 

capacity laboratories capable of producing ounce 

quantities of methamphetamine. 

Methamphetamine production on NFS lands 

in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest Regions is limited but increasing. In 2003, 

USFS reported 17 methamphetamine laboratory 

seizures in those regions, up from 3 reported seizures in 2001.

Caucasian independent methamphetamine producers are predominant in the Midwest, Northeast, 

Southeast and West Regions, typically operating 

small, mobile, low capacity Birch laboratories.

Law enforcement reporting indicates that 

methamphetamine laboratories have been discovered on federal lands throughout the United 

States. Methamphetamine laboratories often are 

discovered in or near caves, cabins, recreational 

areas, abandoned mines, and private vehicles 

located on or adjacent to federal lands. Methamphetamine laboratories on federal lands vary in 

size from small, mobile, low capacity laboratories 

operated by independent producers to high capacity superlabs capable of producing 10 or more 

pounds of methamphetamine in a single production cycle. Often operated by organized criminal 

groups, superlabs produce large quantities for 

wholesale distribution. 

Methamphetamine production methods used 

on federal lands vary regionally. In the Midwest, 

West, and Southeast Regions, Caucasian independent producers using the Birch reduction method 

are predominant. In the Pacific and Southwest 

Regions, Mexican criminal groups and, to a lesser 

extent, Caucasian independent producers using 

the hydriodic acid/red phosphorus method are 

most common.

NFS Lands. There are no conclusive estimates regarding methamphetamine production on 

federal lands; however, anecdotal and law 

enforcement reporting indicate that despite 

decreasing numbers of reported methamphetamine laboratory seizures, methamphetamine 

production on federal lands is a growing threat. 

Seizure data from NFS and DOI reveal fluctuations in the number of reported methamphetamine laboratories seized on federal lands in 

recent years. In 2003, 56 reported methamphetamine laboratories were seized on NFS lands, 

while 83 were seized on DOI lands that year, 

compared with 187 and 41 laboratories seized on 

NFS and DOI lands, respectively, in 2002.

DOI Lands. Methamphetamine production 

on DOI lands appears to be increasing. The number of reported methamphetamine laboratory seizures on DOI lands increased from 28 in 2001, to 

41 in 2002, to 83 in 2003. In 2003, the greatest 

number of reported methamphetamine laboratory 

seizures on DOI lands occurred on lands managed by FWS (38 laboratories), followed by BLM 

(31 laboratories), NPS (8 laboratories), and BIA 

(6 laboratories). 

Methamphetamine Production Methods

Ephedrine/Pseudoephedrine Reduction:

Hydriodic acid/red phosphorus: Often associated with Mexican DTOs, this method can 

yield multipound quantities of d-methamphetamine. The precursor chemicals used in this 

method of production include ephedrine or 

pseudoephedrine, hydriodic acid, and red 

phosphorus.

Birch (also called the Nazi method): Most 

often used by small-scale, independent methamphetamine producers, this method yields 

ounce quantities of d-methamphetamine. Precursor chemicals include ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, anhydrous ammonia, and sodium 

or lithium metal. 
Figure 4. Top Five National Forests for Methamphetamine Laboratory Seizures, January 2002 to December 2003

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, National Forest System Drug Enforcement Report 2002 and 2002 Controlled Substance Enforcement Activity on National Forest System Lands.

National Drug Intelligence Center9
Marijuana and Methamphetamine Trafficking on Federal Lands Threat Assessment

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Transportation

Law enforcement reporting indicates that 

methamphetamine is transported from Mexico 

and, to a much lesser extent, Canada into the 

United States through federal lands; however, 

data regarding the total amount of methamphetamine seized on federal lands along the U.S.–

Mexico and U.S.–Canada borders are not available. DOI reporting indicates that the amount of 

methamphetamine seized on DOI lands decreased 

from 464 pounds in 2001, to 244 pounds in 2002, 

to 206 pounds in 2003. Likewise, the total amount 

of methamphetamine seized on NFS lands 

decreased sharply from 114 pounds in 2002 to 22 

pounds in 2003.

Mexican DTOs and criminal groups as well as 

independent traffickers smuggle methamphetamine 

from Mexico into the United States through remote 

areas of federal lands between POEs along the 

Southwest Border. Methamphetamine smugglers 

use a variety of methods to smuggle methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States through 

federal lands, including couriers traveling on foot, 

on horse, and in personal vehicles. The DOI reports 

that methamphetamine smugglers who transport 

the drug in private vehicles occasionally cross the 

U.S.–Mexico border into federal lands on illegally 

established roads.

Canada is not considered a significant source 

of methamphetamine. Seizures of methamphetamine on federal lands along the Northern Border 

do not occur with any frequency, nor do they 

involve significant seizure amounts. 

NFS Lands. Forest Service reporting indicates that Mexican DTOs and criminal groups 

smuggle methamphetamine into the United States 

through NFS lands in Arizona, the only state with 

NFS lands on the U.S.–Mexico border. Mexican 

DTOs transport methamphetamine from Mexico 

into the United States through remote areas of the 

Coronado National Monument primarily by couriers traveling on foot. Only one road runs 

through the extremely rough terrain in the Coronado National Monument, requiring law enforcement personnel to exit their vehicles and 

investigate or pursue smugglers on foot.

DOI Lands. In Southwest Arizona, couriers 

smuggle methamphetamine through the Cabeza 

Prieta Natural Wildlife Refuge, Organ Pipe Cactus 

National Monument, and Buenos Aires Natural 

Wildlife Refuge. DOI reporting indicates that 

DTOs place stockpiles of food and water along 

smuggling routes on federal lands. The rations are 

intended for couriers who smuggle methamphetamine and other drugs in backpacks or bags 

across the U.S.–Mexico border into Arizona. 

Couriers transport loads as far as 35 miles 

through the Arizona desert en route to stash sites 

along I-8 and State Routes 86 and 286.

Figure 5. Methamphetamine Seizures, Department of 

the Interior Lands, 2003

Source: U.S. Department of the Interior.

83

Methamphetamine (lb)

Methamphetamine

Laboratories

206
National Drug Intelligence Center

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Outlook

The number of methamphetamine laboratories 

seized on federal lands in the Midwest and Southeast Regions likely will increase in the near term. 

Forest Service data show that the number of 

reported methamphetamine laboratory seizures 

on NFS lands remained stable in the Midwest 

Region with 6 seizures each in 2001 and 2002 

and 7 in 2003, but increased in the Southeast 

Region from 1 in 2001, to 11 in 2002, to 35 in 

2003. Moreover, 2003 National Clandestine 

Laboratory Seizure System data reveal sharp 

increases in the number of reported methamphetamine laboratories seized in the Midwest and 

Southeast Regions between 2001 and 2003. The 

number of reported methamphetamine laboratories 

seized in the Midwest Region increased from 

1,947 in 2001, to 2,540 in 2002, to 3,038 in 2003. 

In the Southeast Region, the reported number of 

methamphetamine laboratory seizures increased 

from 1,247 in 2001, to 1,906 in 2002, to 2,847 in 

2003. The combined number of reported seizures 

of laboratories in the Midwest and Southeast 

Regions from 2001 to 2003 increased by 84 percent 

(from 3,194 to 5,885). Increases in such seizures 

were most notable in Kentucky (127 to 349) and 

in Illinois (207 to 421).
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National Drug Intelligence Center

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Sources

State and Regional

Arizona

Tohono O’Odham Police Department

California

Department of Justice

Campaign Against Marijuana Planting

Federal

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Forest Service

National Forest Service Regional Coordinators

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Border Patrol

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bureau of Land Management

Fish and Wildlife Service

National Park Service

Ranger Activities Division

U.S. Department of Justice

Drug Enforcement Administration

El Paso Intelligence Center

National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Phoenix Field Office
Marijuana and Methamphetamine Trafficking on Federal Lands Threat Assessment

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