Part 4/15:
The Environmental Toll of Cartel-Grown Cannabis
The environmental damage was staggering. The operation consisted of around 7,000 plants, poisoned with banned toxic substances like carbofuran, a deadly insecticide outlawed in the U.S. but smuggled from Mexico and Central America. These chemicals polluted waterways, killed aquatic species, and left hazardous debris — fertilizers, propane tanks, trash, and contaminated soil.
The diversion of water for these illegal grows caused creekbeds to dry up, destroying crucial habitats for endangered fish and wildlife. Norris recalls how the creek was diverted so effectively that it was entirely dry in certain stretches, with poisoned water sources irreparably damaged.