Mexico Military Destroys 2,100 Marijuana Farms

MEXICO CITY — A Mexican military assault on marijuana farms in the state of Michoacan destroyed 2,116 growing operations in a week, the defense minister said.

Troops took out crops on 586 acres and found other drugs in the raids, Defense Minister Guillermo Galvan said yesterday in Mexico City. Based on a price of 18,000 pesos a kilo — the market rate north of the border with America — the marijuana, seeds, and other drugs destroyed have a value of about $619.2 million, Mr. Galvan said.

President Calderon is using the military to escalate Mexico's drug war and make good on his campaign promise to reinforce the rule of law. Mr. Calderon, who took office December 1, sent more than 5,000 troops to conduct anti-drug raids in Michoacan on December 11.