Black-Market Cannabis Grow Busted Friday in Gold Hill Area
Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant at neighboring black-market cannabis grows Friday. These properties were both located in the 2000 block of Rogue River Highway in rural Gold Hill.
While serving the warrant, detectives discovered a clandestine Butane Honey Oil (BHO) laboratory. Jackson County Code Enforcement issued a citation totaling $887,710 for the unauthorized hydrocarbon extraction facility including the use of butane gas, and failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production. IMET served the search warrant after receiving tips that the irrigation canal water in the local area was drying up.
Overall, investigators seized 1,221 illegal marijuana plants, 1,851 lbs. of processed cannabis, 12 BHO jars, and $17,900 cash.
Four suspects were on the property when the warrant was served and charges will be filed with the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
Oregon Water Resources Department District 13 Watermasters will issue three separate Notices of Violation to the responsible party for three separate well locations. Despite being a paying patron of the Gold Hill Irrigation District and with the canal running through the properties, it was observed that both grow operations were not diverting water from the irrigation district source water during the time of the Watermaster's investigation.
According to Oregon Water Law it is unpermitted to use domestic well water for a commercial grow operation or to water beyond 1/2 acre. Water violations of this kind are subject to both civil and criminal penalties. The Watermaster's office received several anonymous calls in early September about the tenants on the properties taking more water from the canal than allowed, drying up the allotted source.
Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.
