Yes, there are pot raids, even in legal states like Oregon. And this was a big one, with 1,400 pounds of Cannabis and 9,000 plants seized.
Cops arrested 14 people east of Corvallis, Oregon last week at two large unlicensed marijuana grow operations.
The Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement team searched two neighboring properties on Aug. 27, reports The Associated Press. Officers seized the dried weed, the plants, a dozen firearms and more than $6,000, The Albany Democrat-Herald reported.
61 “Large Greenhouses” Destroyed
Law enforcement destroyed 61 “large greenhouses” on site. Albany Police Department Lt. Juston Alexander claimed unlicensed outdoor marijuana grows are much more of a problem in southern Oregon. But over the past few years, he said, they’ve been migrating north.
“This is the biggest outdoor grow we’ve dealt with in recent history on private property,” Alexander claimed.
The 14 people arrested face marijuana-related charges, as well as criminal conspiracy and illegal firearm possession in one case.
Among those arrested was Franklin Lester Roles, age 55, for unlawful manufacture of marijuana, felon in possession of a firearm and criminal conspiracy. Also Lisa Dee Medina-Brown, age 60, faces charges for unlawful manufacture of marijuana and criminal conspiracy.
The 12 other arrests were Leonel Sanchez Sarmiento, Angel Zuniga Jose, Luis Miguel Trujillo Jose, Sostenes Cruz Clara, Alberto Sarmiento Garcia, Angel Jose Jose, Cornelio Duarte Duarte, Jose Valdovinos Godinez, Marco Valdovinos Godinez, Luis Silva-Solorio, Simon Eduardo Vargas Pena and Javier Orozco Arroyo. Their ages range from 24 to 37. Their arrests were for unlawful manufacture of marijuana, unlawful delivery of marijuana, unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal conspiracy.
Here’s The Hustle
Unlicensed growers approach rural property owners to rent their land with payment in cash for what are presented as legal growing operations, according to police. Fistfuls of cash can be mighty tempting to the best of us, you know.
But the police want landowners to question the legitimacy of such offers. They further urge you to contact law enforcement or the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission with questions.
