JACKSON COUNTY, Ore — Armed with a search warrant, the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) in collaboration with local law enforcement conducted a search on Thursday, September 19 in a remote area along Yale Creek Road, south of Jacksonville.
Approximately 3,978 marijuana plants and six firearms were seized at the illegal cannabis operation and several additional contraventions were identified and addressed.
Illegal Cannabis Grow Site Raided In Rural Rogue Valley
The investigation, led by IMET, a multi-agency task force focused on combating the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley, included members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Homeland Security Investigations, OSP, Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.
Located in a heavily forested area, the grow site was littered with environmental hazards including piles of trash, Chemicals, fertilizers, tires, and broken-down vehicles. It was also established that water from a nearby creek on forest land was being siphoned by the illegal operation.
As the property had no license for any form of cannabis cultivation, handling, or processing, two suspects on the scene were detained.
The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office is investigating charges of felony marijuana manufacture and possession.
Investigations also found evidence of suspected poaching at the site. This was referred to the Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife division for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Fines Issued At Rogue Valley Black Market Marijuana Operation
Aside from the criminal investigation, fines of $25,000 for infringements of the Jackson County Code were issued to two separate landowners for several violations, including improper waste disposal, failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production, the use of a camping vehicle within a marijuana production area, and unpermitted construction.
The water usage at the site was also investigated by watermasters at the Oregon Water Resources Department’s Enforcement section who issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) for unauthorized water appropriation from a tributary of Yale Creek. The offense carries civil and criminal penalties.
Licensed cannabis operations in the area continue to be monitored by regulatory agencies while IMET focuses on eradicating illegal grows. Detectives in this case are following additional leads as investigations remain ongoing.