The Arkansas State Police Marijuana Eradication Unit, aided by the Arkansas National Guard, was in Poinsett County last Thursday in their continuing efforts to find large amounts of marijuana growing. (Photo courtery Modern News)

The Arkansas State Police Marijuana Eradication Unit, aided by the Arkansas National Guard, was in Poinsett County last Thursday in their continuing efforts to find large amounts of marijuana growing.

Also aided by the Poinsett County Sheriff's Department, the unit covered the entire county by air and ground, according to Poinsett County Sheriff Larry Mills, and did not find any marijuana growing.

"The state police contacts the sheriff's department and lets us know when they will be coming to the county with the eradication unit," said Mills. "It's then up to me to contact the chiefs of police in the cities and advise them of the date and to find out about any tips they may have received about growing operations in their areas."

"We then take a county map and mark any spots that may have been reported or any other suspect spots such as spots where we have found plants in the past, and the flight teams then have a basis to start flying," said Mills.

Mills said that this was the second straight time that no marijuana had been found during the operation. "We will fly again this year, but we just don't find it like we used to," he said.

Mills cited two primary reasons why he thinks growing marijuana has become less popular in this area. "First, I think the dealers can purchase large amounts of marijuana from Mexico cheaper than they can grow it now," said Mills, "And second, I think that meth and crack have become the drugs of choice."

During the eradication operation, three helicopters from the Arkansas National Guard fly the county and are aided by ground units made up of state police and county officers

"Myself and three other deputies are part of the ground units during the operation," said Mills.

According to Mills, the program has been operating for many years and does not cost the county anything.

"We get the eradication unit as often as possible and we will also use private pilots to do a couple of similar programs each year," said Mills. "Funds are available through the state that allows us to do this and not cost Poinsett County a penny."