3,978 unlicensed pot plants, 6 guns seized in rural Jacksonville IMET raid
Published 2:00 pm Thursday, September 26, 2024
- Oregon Water Resources Department enforcement section Watermasters investigate suspected unauthorized appropriation violations Sept. 19 during an IMET search of a suspected illicit grow south of Jacksonville on Yale Creek Road.
The Jackson County Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team says it is still investigating following a raid last week on a suspected illicit marijuana grow in a wooded area outside Jacksonville.
Some 3,978 unlicensed cannabis plants and six firearms were seized during a Sept. 19 search on a remote, heavily forested area on Yale Creek Road, according to a release issued Wednesday by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Two suspects were detained on suspicion of felony manufacturing marijuana and felony possession of marijuana, but the suspects were not named. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case for applicable charges, the release said.
Jackson County Jail records show no bookings on felony marijuana charges Sept. 19.
During the search, investigators say they found evidence that the grow operation was siphoning water from a nearby creek on federal forestland.
Oregon Water Resources Department enforcement section Watermasters issued a notice of violation for unauthorized appropriation of water from a tributary of Yale Creek. According to the sheriff’s office, civil and criminal penalties apply to the violation.
The release describes the property as littered with trash, broken-down cars, tires, fertilizers, chemicals and other environmental hazards.
Jackson County Code Enforcement issued roughly $25,000 in fines for construction without a permit, including construction of an unpermitted dwelling, failing to obtain land use approval for marijuana production, utilizing a camping vehicle within a marijuana production area and for solid waste violations.
As of this week, the sheriff’s office says that the investigation is still “open and ongoing,” and that detectives are working additional leads.
The search separately turned up what the sheriff’s office described as evidence of a suspected poaching at the scene. The release does not provide further details, but the sheriff’s office states that the evidence was turned over to Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife troopers to investigate further.
