IMET Dismantled Black-Market Cannabis Grow in Rural Jacksonville Last Week
The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) of Jackson County raided a black-market cannabis grow in rural Jacksonville last week. In a Wednesday afternoon press release, IMET reports detectives served a search warrant on September 19th at an illegal marijuana growing operation in a heavily forested area off Yale Creek Road south of Jacksonville. Detectives said the property was littered with piles of trash, broken-down cars, tires, fertilizers, chemicals and other environmental hazards. The grow was also illegally siphoning water from a nearby creek on US Forest Service land. During execution of the warrant, IMET seized nearly 4,000 illegal marijuana plants and six firearms. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling or processing at the remote location. The team was assisted by the Jackson and Josephine County Sheriff's offices as well as the Oregon State Police. Two suspects were detained and charges of Felony Marijuana Manufacture and Possession were referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Law enforcement also found evidence of suspected poaching at the scene, which was turned over to the OSP Fish & Wildlife Division for potential prosecution. During the search, Jackson County Code Enforcement responded and issued a total of $25,000 in fines to two separate landowners for several violations. The Oregon Water Resources Department also responded to investigate the property's water usage. A Notice of Violation was issued to the responsible parties for unauthorized appropriation of water from a tributary of Yale Creek.
Posted on 9/26/24 6:26AM by Sam Marsh