Texas Heat Taking Toll On Drug Cartel Marijuana Growers
TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The drought is so bad that even drug cartels growing marijuana in Texas are having a hard time.
Officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) say each marijuana plant requires about a gallon of water a day to keep growing. With the Texas drought, drug cartel farmers have had to change their routines.
"The drought has forced drug trafficking organizations to alter their methods to acquire water and this may also expose them to a higher visibility," explained DEA Special Agent in Charge Mauricio Fernandez.
The lack of rain has been positive for drug enforcement officials since traffickers are finding it more difficult to keep their growing operations a secret.
"Marijuana drug operators have had to adjust to taking different steps, and that law enforcement in general is aware of the fact that they've had to make these adjustments," said Fernandez.
Law enforcement officials say they're exploiting every advantage they can to shut down the large marijuana crops in the state.
