NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Thursday, August 20, 2009

NOTICE

Organ Pipe Cactus NM

Two Marijuana Smugglers Sentenced To Prison

On November 11, 2008, Organ Pipe rangers discovered tracks consistent with those of cross-border contraband backpackers on the West Border Road approximately 10 miles west of the Lukeville Port of Entry. An NPS tactical tracking team followed the group approximately seven-and-a-half miles over rugged desert terrain, where rangers, assisted by a Customs and Border Protection helicopter and CBP officers, arrested eight backpackers at gunpoint. Rangers then conducted a search of the area and discovered a total of seven concealed contraband packs approximately 20 yards from the arrest location. The packs contained a total of just over 420 pounds of processed marijuana. A special agent from the NPS Investigative Services Branch provided investigative assistance, conducting Spanish language interviews with the suspects. Each admitted to participating in the marijuana smuggling operation. The case was accepted for federal prosecution and the eight were indicted in December 2008. The Ajo U.S. Border Patrol Station, Tucson DEA, and Tucson U.S. Attorney's Office were crucial in the prosecution of the case. On July 13th, two of the smugglers, J.R.B.-L. and G.B.-O., were sentenced after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana (21 USC §841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D)). J.R.B.-L. was sentenced to two years (24 months) in federal prison and three years of supervised probation. G.B.-O. was sentenced to five years (60 months) prison time and four years supervised probation. The two face immigration proceedings upon release. Court cases are ongoing for the remaining six smugglers. [Matt Fisher, Special Agent]

Great Smoky Mountains NP

Two Motorcyclists Killed In Head-On Collision With SUV

The operator of a motorcycle and his passenger were fatally injured yesterday morning when they were struck head-on by an SUV. The SUV was northbound on Newfound Gap Road when it crossed the centerline, sideswiped another vehicle, then hit the motorcycle. The driver of the second vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Swain County Hospital by Cherokee Tribal EMS. An investigation is underway. [Bob Miller, Public Affairs Officer]

North Cascades NP

Injured Climber Rescued From Dorado Needle

Two climbers were ascending the Dorado Needle via the SW Buttress Route on August 17th when the lead climber fell approximately 20 feet. The belayer was able to lower his partner to a protected ledge. While not critically injured, the fallen climber suffered a severe puncture wound which left him unable to climb or descend further due to pain and profuse bleeding. The partner was able to travel out across three glaciers and significant cross-country terrain to report the stranded climber to the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount. Three rangers were flown to the site via the park's on-call contracted aircraft from HiLine Helicopters. The extraction was completed with a wall pick-off type short-haul, then an internal flight. The 36-year-old climber was treated at the local hospital and released. [Kinsey Shilling, Chief Ranger]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:

Great Basin NP - The park is employing surgically implanted radio transmitters to monitor rattlesnakes and determine the effects and effectiveness of short distance relocations that occur following rattlesnake-human conflicts.

Gateway NRA - The park has joined New Jersey's statewide monofilament recovery and recycling program, which aims to reduce environmental damage caused by fishing line, which can last up to 600 years in the environment. Photo.

Harpers Ferry Center - The August issue of HFC onMedia has been posted to the web. Photo.

National Capital Region - John Piltzecker has been selected as the new superintendent for the National Mall & Memorial Parks. He begins his new duties on August 31st.

To see these and other stories posted on InsideNPS (or NPS Digest, its public version), click on one or the other of the following links (please note that not all stories in the former appear in the latter):

NPS employees: HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index

Non-NPS employees: HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/

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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:

HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363

Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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