Update: Two Black Hawks and one UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter.
I took these photographs of three US Army Black Hawk helicopters parked at the Western Carolina Regional Airport today, August 19th, 2013. In addition to the military, we saw one SBI agent, one police officer and a camouflaged truck marked “Office of the Sheriff”. All other personnel in camouflage did not have identification (name or branch) on their “uniforms”. Based on conversations with retired law enforcement officers in Western North Carolina later, it appears that this is a joint military/police operation to find marijuana prior to its harvest.
David DeGerolamo
UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter
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Uhhh………… tha last helo is NOT a blackhawk dude; that is a scout helicopter, maybe an OH-58D type without the big ball on top, but definitely not a Blackhawk. In fact, I see the 3rd helo has what looks to be (Maybe)a 7-shot pod on the right side and nothing on the left, so a bit unsure what that config is. The tail rotor area of that 3rd helo looks newer model than the ones I flew, but the body style and landing gear is definitely OH-58
I updated the article to include the UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter.
that IS a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk -- look it up--
As if they didn’t have better things to do.
Can’t give the Mexican gov’t any competition. Use choppers against u.s. citizens but let the boarders run free. Go figure.
Not that I trust even some retired cops but that explanation sounds about right. They had a raid in Medicino, Ca raiding a national park and used about six different agencies including DEA personnel. Finding marijuana is a top priority with these jerkos, like if they don’t stop everyone from smoking we’re all going to destroy this great country. Look at the number of people in prison serving long, long terms because of it. And they did have 200 FBI agents using that airport for two years looking for Eric Rudolph.
Look at the number of people in prison serving long, long terms because of it.
Can’t believe that I agree with anything this administration has done, but their goal of reducing this, I do.
Once mj is legal, and it will be as states are making it so with nullification efforts, my question is what will happen with the DEA agents used to stop mj?
You know they won’t get rid of them
I believe that the government will change their assignment to confiscate gold once they make it illegal to own.
I can’t personally remember a single agency that was dissolved by the federal government. I’m sure there must be a few but I don’t remember them. Remember the ATF was formed to enforce the tax put on guns that had new regulations put on them. And the FBI was formed to fight bootleggers and moonshiners. Look where both are today. We have five renegade federal law enforcement agencies right now in the FBI, DEA, AFTB, NSA, and Homeland Security. They all operate on their own with no oversight and no consequences for their actions. None are ever going anywhere until this monster collapses. The DEA will continue harassing innocent people in some areas. As David says, one will probably be gold confiscation if another doesn’t beat them to it.
I live on 294 across from the school and these flew right over my house Friday the 16th. They were in a formation and VERY low to the ground. It shook all the windows and scared the kids. I cant imagine that any amount of alleged pot would be worth the fuel and pay needed to man these. Its crazy since if you drive a few hours in any direction its legal.
they were out here again on 294 flying over towards the Dam (Violet/Unaka) for some time yesterday (Tuesday).
Hey David and friends! The retired LEO was correct! There have been anti-drug opreation such as this held each year about this time, for many years. They sometimes use the Highway Patrol or SBI Cessna as part of the search. They use the aircraft for overflight to spot suspicious activity, then move in on foot/vehicle, to search on the ground. If found, the plants are removed and transported by ATV to the truck for removal. It’s usually a big deal when they do the “burn,” at the landfil. Another aspect is that Cherokee County has so much Federal, TVA and Eastern Band of Cherokee land, a lot of it is not very well traveled. This often leads the growers to slipping onto these little used/traveled lands and plant. As to the last chopper, the UH-72, what may first appear as some hind of weapon pod is actually a searchlight or FLIR on a gymbal mount.
So this drug operation has been in place for a long period of time. And the results are? This seems to be another example of Einstein’s insanity.
most of the growers in our county north of asheville build a room in an old burly barn cover the outside of the room with tarpaper and the inside with mylar get a china deisel generater and bury it in the ground almost no one grows in the open anymore too many eyesthe warning is stay away from old barns you mite get shot your friend truckwilkins
These operations have the added benefits of showing strength to the locals that Big Brother is always ready and also of making their presence felt among local law enforcement personnel. So I guess that part is working. Besides, we are so loaded with money what’s a few helios riding around the countryside looking for that dangerous, costly drug?
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I went to WCU in the late 80’s/early 90’s and recall marijuana searches each year around this time. Alumni said they date back to the 70’s. I also remember how nervous one of the fraternity houses was when they were around. 🙂
So the “government” has been doing this for over 40 years with no resolution. Other than to waste our money and provide a source of intimidation. When will it be enough?