According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators seized and destroyed 7,600 marijuana and hemp plants, 5,000 pounds of marijuana, and 200 pounds of cannabis extract. Investigators also seized 19 guns and roughly $210,000 cash.
Multiple law enforcement agencies served search warrants at a pair of properties in the Illinois Valley on Thursday, reportedly busting an illegal marijuana grow operation and a cannabis extraction lab.
Members of Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) partnered with Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE), the Bureau of Land Management, and Josephine County Code Enforcement in serving the two warrants — one for a property in the 6000-block of Caves Highway, and another in the 5000-block of Holland Loop Road.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators seized and destroyed 7,600 marijuana and hemp plants, 5,000 pounds of processed marijuana, and 200 pounds of cannabis extract. Investigators also seized 19 guns and roughly $210,000 cash.
The seized cash will be subject to forfeiture, the Sheriff’s Office said, but can only be used for training and equipment and not personnel.
At the Caves Highway property, investigators reported finding a “closed-loop cannabis extraction lab.”
“Due to the explosive/flammable nature of these extraction labs, a specialized HAZMAT team responded for the safe removal of 2,000 gallons of solvent and other hazardous materials,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators made two arrests in the pair of raids. 50-year-old Barry Greenwalt was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacture of a Marijuana Item. 33-year-old Mitchell Seguin was charged with multiple counts for manufacture, possession, and delivery of marijuana, in addition to possession of a marijuana extract.
Another 19 subjects were detained “due to safety concerns,” the Sheriff’s Office continued. The investigation is still ongoing.
