One person was arrested and nearly 1,600 marijuana plants were destroyed after state police raided an illegal grow operation in Christmas Valley. According to Oregon State Police (OSP), on August 30, 2023, the OSP Drug Enforcement Section (DES) Southwest Region Marijuana (SWRMJ) team executed a search warrant on an illegal marijuana growing operation in the 83000 block of Christmas Valley Hwy.
A 32-year-old man from Fresno, California, was arrested and booked at the Lake County Jail for Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana (ORS 475C.349). As a result of the operation, 1,591 illegal marijuana plants and approximately 50 pounds of dried, processed marijuana was seized and ultimately destroyed. Additionally, two firearms were located and seized.
Law enforcement also encountered piles of trash, chemicals, a two-story un-permitted structure, improvised well irrigation systems, and hazardous electrical wiring on the property.
The OSP DES SWRMJ team was assisted by the OSP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the OSP Major Crimes Section (MCS), OSP Lakeview Patrol Office, OSP Klamath Falls Patrol Office, the Basin Illegal Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET), the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
This investigation is on-going, and no additional details are available at this time.