HMMMMMMM!!!!

RRFW Riverwire – GROUP ARRESTED AT LEE’S FERRYJanuary 29, 2006Five members of a non-commercial river trip were arrested at Lee’s Ferry,Arizona, on Saturday, January 27, 2007, for possession of controlled substances.The five were part of a group of 14 preparing to launch a 30 day trip raftingthrough Grand Canyon.The group was breaking down their camp and awaiting final trip orientation whenthey were approached by a National Park Ranger at the arrival of Coconino CountySheriff and Arizona Department of Public Safety officers.The Law enforcement personnel subsequently arrested the five following a searchof the group’s tents and watercraft with a drug sniffing dog based on acitizen’s tip of drug use. The dog detected a small amount of drugs. Accordingto one of the trip participants, 3 ounces of marijuana were seized.The five people were then taken into custody and appeared before a Page, Arizonajudge in separate hearings. It was determined that misdemeanor charges would bebrought in all cases and they were released on their own recognizance pending afuture court date.Since National Park Service policy allows any individual who has registered tocall in and claim any available trip opening, a remaining member of the group,Mike Grijalva, immediately requested to claim the aborted trip launch. Mr.Grijalva registered to be considered for the lotteries held in the fall of 2006.He was advised by the National Park Ranger on duty that there were no availablecancellation dates. The group then re-packed all their gear onto trailers, andreturned to Flagstaff, Arizona, in an attempt to salvage the trip.As of Monday, January 29, 2007, employees at the River Permits office at GrandCanyon National Park confirmed that there were indeed unclaimed river trips onFeb 1, 2 and 4, but Mr. Grijalva was informed by Park officials that none of thetrip participants could claim any of the available dates, because of theirassociation with the 5 individuals who were arrested and later released.“It appears the Park overreacted,” notes Jo Johnson of River Runners forWilderness “and is penalizing people who were not involved in any wrongdoing.Those folks have the same right to a permit as any one else, the launch isavailable and they are ready to go. It is hard to see the Park’s justificationfor denying them a coveted opportunity to launch based on their association withindividuals who may never be convicted of any crime.”