Local News

The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) of Jackson County made a big bust when it raided an illegal cannabis growing operation in the Sams Valley area late last week.

Last Friday morning, IMET detectives served a search warrant in the 5900-block of Highway 234. They were assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police. Jackson County Fire District #3 had responded to the same property on April 16th for three large piles of prohibited materials set on fire.

During execution of the warrant, approximately 39,000 illegal marijuana plants, $3,000 in cash and two firearms were seized. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling or processing at this location. Seven people were detained with charges referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office.

Jackson County Code Enforcement also responded to the scene and issued a total of $64,000 in fines to the landowner and a known responsible party. Fines were for violations related to solid waste, non-permitted construction of a large pole barn, non-permitted electrical installations and failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production.

Code Enforcement had previously cited the landowner for the above-ground waste prior to the material being buried and set on fire. Ash and residual materials were located near the burn piles, which is a violation of the local solid waste ordinance.

The Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section has issued a Notice of Violation to the responsible party for the unauthorized appropriation of water from Snider Creek. This type of water violation is subject to both criminal and civil penalties. An estimated 1.5 million gallons of water was saved by stopping its use.

While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET works on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. The investigation into this case is ongoing with detectives working additional leads.