30-day investigation nets over 8,000 pounds of pot
JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. -- Law enforcement officials say over 250 pounds of marijuana were seized on Tuesday alone, after a month-long investigation into several people associated with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.
Authorities say the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team (RADE) made three arrests on Tuesday, following a total of 26 people who were either arrested or have charges pending.
In all, officials say 930 pounds of marijuana bud, over 7,500 pounds of wet plants and user amounts of meth and heroin were all taken as evidence in the operation.
Here is the press release from the Oregon State Police:
Investigations conducted during the last 30 days by the interagency Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team shows the team was inundated with a variety of cases, the majority involving marijuana. Due to the nature of the investigations and the cultural closeness of those involved in the unlawful manufacture and distribution of marijuana in Josephine County, RADE is now able to provide some information for these case investigations including the most recent investigation that led to three arrests Tuesday and the seizure of over 250 pounds of marijuana.
Oregon State Police (OSP) Sergeant Jim Johnson said RADE opened seventeen cases during this time for which 26 people were either arrested or have charges pending. Because a number of the cases are submitted to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office for potential charges toward additional suspects, not all of the mentioned cases list names of persons related to the investigations.
According to Johnson, the majority of the cases involved individuals associated with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) and focused on growing or possessing significantly more marijuana than allowed under the program. Additionally, several other cases investigated revealed growers illegally distributing marijuana to people other than OMMP patients for profit, locally and outside the State of Oregon. Wholesale marijuana prices in Josephine County commonly range from $1,200 to $1,500 per pound.
The most recent investigation led to a search warrant being served November 13, 2012 by RADE detectives and Oregon State Police (OSP) SWAT team on three Williams-area residences in the 1400 block of Rock Creek Road. Detectives seized approximately 252 pounds of packaged and unpackaged marijuana, methamphetamine, 14 firearms, a ballistic vest, surveillance equipment, and other evidence. Subsequent to this investigation, RADE detectives cited and released ED LINEBAUGH, age 57, GRADY HANING, age 32, and ANDREW HANING, age 30, on drug-related charges.
Including the above-mentioned case, during the 30-day period RADE investigations led to the seizure of:
- 930 pounds of marijuana bud
- Over 7,500 pounds of wet marijuana plant weight from 279 mature marijuana plants
- User amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and Percocet tablets
- Hundreds of pounds of additional marijuana either drying or considered "shake"
- 120 firearms
The following are brief reviews of these cases:
On October 16, 2012, RADE Detectives contacted a Grants Pass-area residence in the 1800 block of Cloverlawn Drive that resulted in the seizure of 38 marijuana plants, 6 pounds of marijuana bud, US Currency and 2 firearms. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 16, 2012, RADE detectives arrested KURT TRUJILLO, age 24, after he delivered Percocet tablets to detectives posing as buyers in Grants Pass. TRUJILLO was lodged in the Josephine County Jail. Two people who arrived with TRUJILLO were found to be in possession of heroin and Vicodin. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 16, 2012, RADE detectives contacted two people delivering Percocet tablets to detectives posing as buyers. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 16, 2012, RADE detectives contacted JOSE MARROQUIN, age 36, when he delivered one-half pound of marijuana to detectives posing as buyers. Approximately 14 more pounds of marijuana and a firearm were also seized from his Grants Pass-area residence. MARROQUIN was cited and release on drug-related charges.
On October 16, 2012, RADE detectives contacted two people delivering one-half pound of marijuana to detectives posing as buyers. They were also in possession of heroin. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 20, 2012, RADE detectives arrested BILL BASKINS JR, age 55, on Fir Drive in Cave Junction and arrested him on an outstanding federal warrant stemming from his arrest in Arkansas where he was found to be in possession of over 240 pounds of marijuana. After taking him into custody, detectives seized approximately five pounds of marijuana bud, US Currency, a firearm and other items of evidence from his residence.
On October 20, 2012, RADE detectives served a search warrant on 5000 block of Holland Loop Road in Cave Junction that resulted in the arrest of DENISE ENGERBRETSON, age 52. Detectives seized 12 marijuana plants, 11 pounds of marijuana bud, US Currency and 2 firearms.
On October 23, 2012, RADE detectives assisted OSP Patrol Division troopers with an investigation that resulted in the seizure of 8 pounds of marijuana after a RADE detective obtained and executed a search warrant on a vehicle a trooper had stopped. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 24, 2012, RADE detectives contacted a residence in the 3300 block of Camp Joy Road in Merlin, after they observed marijuana hanging in the living room. Nine marijuana plants, over 14 pounds of marijuana bud, approximately 200 pounds of marijuana, and three guns (one stolen out of Josephine County) was seized. TERRY KOVACHY, age 45, and JIM RADCLIFE, age 47, were cited and released on drug related charges.
On October 24, 2012, RADE detectives contacted a Merlin-area residence in the 300 block of Connie Lane after obtaining information during another investigation. Detectives seized more than 43 pounds of marijuana bud, over 53 pounds of marijuana, ten firearms, US Currency and approximately 5000 pounds of marijuana from thirty-two mature marijuana plants, some of which were 15 feet tall. Detectives had to use a large dump truck to transport the marijuana. MARSHAL JONES, age 60, was cited and released on drug related charges.
On October 25, 2012, RADE detectives contacted a residence in the 1400 block of Wilderville Lane in Grants Pass after obtaining pertinent information during another investigation. When detectives arrived on the property they contacted 15 "trimmers", mostly out of state residents. The property had a large bunk house, trim room and was set up as a commercial growing operation. Detectives seized over 128 pounds of packaged marijuana bud, 150 pounds of dry marijuana bud, 300 pounds of drying marijuana, 97 mature marijuana plants with a gross weight of approximately 1875 pounds, 44 immature marijuana plants, ten firearms, and other items of evidence. A dump truck was used to transport the marijuana. BEAU RILLO, age 35, was cited and released on drug-related charges.
On October 25, 2012, RADE detectives contacted a residence in the 100 block of Hogue Drive in Wilderville and seized 13 pounds of drying marijuana bud, two handguns, methampetamine, and a very small amount of red phosperous (used in the production of methamphetamine). MIKE MARTINO, age 32, was arrested and lodged on an outstanding warrant and local charges of Unlawful Possession and Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Methampetamine, Unlawful Possession of Red Phosphorus, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
On October 25, 2012, RADE detectives conducted an investigation at a residence in the 1000 block of Ingalls Lane in Wilderville that resulted in the seizure of 2 pounds of marijuana bud, 22 marijuana plants weighing approximately 625 pounds and one firearm. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 26, 2012, RADE detectives served a search warrant in the 900 block of Reeves Creek in Selma that resulted in the seizure of 32 marijuana plants, 107 pounds of marijuana bud, 36 pounds of pounds of drying marijuana bud, 80 pounds of marijuana bud on stems, and 66 firearms. Detectives arrested RAYMOND BEAIRSTO, age 54. A second person identified as KARA BEAIRSTO, age 50, was also subsequently arrested and charged with various narcotics offenses.
On October 26, 2012, RADE detectives served a search warrant in the 2000 block of Chapman Road in Cave Junction that resulted in the seizure of 14 pounds of marijuana bud, 37 marijuana plants and two firearms. The investigation is ongoing.
On November 7, 2012,RADE detectives served a search warrant in the Cave Junction-area in the 5000 block of Caves Highway where they seized 138 pounds of marijuana bud, approximately 300 pounds of marijuana, six firearms, US Currency and other items of evidence. JON EBLING, age 57 and SAM AUSTIN, age 27, were arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on numerous drug-related charges.
"Growers are growing plants that produce usable quantities of marijuana 'bud' that far exceeds the weights permitted by OMMP and is being distributed nationwide for huge profits," said Johnson.
Johnson pointed out that it would be nearly impossible to conduct the majority of RADE's enforcement work without the help of personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Safety's Criminal Division and their evidence section; members of the Oregon State Police Patrol Services Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and High Intensity Traffic (HIT) team. Additionally, personnel from Josephine County Community Corrections, DEA, ICE, ATF, MADGE, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and Jackson County Sheriff's Office have also contributed occasional resources and / or manpower to assist RADE with their operations.
Anyone with information regarding suspicious drug activity or marijuana growing operations is encouraged to call the RADE tip line at (541) 955-6970.
The interagency RADE team is comprised of personnel from Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, Josephine County District Attorney's Office and Josephine County Community Corrections.
Sounds like RADE is investigating people from the State OMMP database again. All this war on some weeds and meanwhile, it looks like RADE is doing nothing against METH or heroin. But you know those backwards, backwoods folks from southern Oregon - got to stop the pot usage - it's the Devil's Weed!   LoL
 Well it looks like another batch of loser abusers get to serve prison time. This is exactly the reason it should be legalized. With anyone who wanted being able to grow their own, operations like this would be redundant. Not only is the criminal element erased the value would drop to negligible amounts. it appears Washington residents are much brighter than Oregon residents, outside of the metro area anyway.
RADE is another joke of an agency. I believe our President said to leave the pot issue alone. But yet our worthless govt still spends billions on a war on drugs that will NEVER be won. Instead of wasting money on all this, why not spend it on our schools, and infastructure, and things that matter. Legalize it!!!
8,000 Lbs of Pot and "User amounts" of meth... Not a good trade.Â
Â
8K Lbs of pot is worth a lot of money. Sure would be nice if that was regulated.....
 @fulcrum "over 7,500 pounds of wet plants"- they wanted to make headlines with this one.  Definitely needs to be regulated, taxed, and enjoyed!
How much taxpayer $ was used to fund this raid? I didn't see that information in this long article. What a waste. It's only a matter of time until it becomes legal in Oregon, maybe then law enforcement will stop wasting time, money and resources on it and start fighting real crime.
@QuandoQuandoQuando "real crime"- like their own corrupt agencies!!
so many man hours wasted to eradicate a plant, and a possibly beneficial plant at that. meanwhile drunkdrivers and meth heads are running amuck.
I'm sure the local power company is going to be in tears over how many kilowatt hours were tragically lost due to this.
On the other hand, thousands of skunks are now hopelessly confused as to where to find a mate, due to the smell. (7,500 lb.s of plant is gonna STINK!)
stupid ommp, if its bad enough they need to get high to forget about it they should just end it, if its not bad enough to end it then its not bad enough you need to get high to treat it!
@franksbeans stick to your alcohol and prescription DRUGS. It will all be over soon for you.
 @franksbeans I can see you're an expert on the subject. You are suggesting I go kill myself instead of using a plant to ease my chronic, never ending pain? That's so compassionate of you, what a shame not everyone is as not as thoughtful as you are.
@QuandoQuandoQuando I agree, Id much rather have some herb than take any opiate for my never ending chronic pain
Oregon should sell it to the state of Washington.
Oregon supporting the thousands of killings on the southern border. Be proud pot heads your money is helping to fund the slaughter of innocent mexicans.
 @Oregon_University_of_Made_in_China You have no idea what you're talking about. If we produce our own pot here(In the U.S.) we will lower the cost, therefore taking money OUT OF the hands of the cartels.  They(The Cartels) make money shipping mexi-weed here. Do some research.
 @Oregon_University_of_Made_in_China Last I checked our southern border was with California and Nevada and not one person has lost their life crossing either border.  By the way if you were made in China I believe you should be more concerned with the Communist Chinese government and its treatment of its own citizens and not how the US tries to deal with drug smugglers and illegal aliens. But since you're here you probably know that. Â
 @Oregon_University_of_Made_in_China It's the Obama admin that has supplied a majority of the weapons used in said slaughter or innocent mexicans.
@Oregon_University_of_Made_in_China Looks like they're growing it here, not shipping it from Mexico.
 @badcat  @Oregon_University_of_Made_in_China check with the boarder patrol and homeland security. Seattle is the last stop for the I-5 drug trade. Just because some grow it doesn't mean they all do. Many still by it from dealers which ultimately end up tracing back to mexico
 @Oregon_University_of_Made_in_China I'm pretty sure the people in this article were growing it here. Seems unlikely that they were smuggling whole plants, don't you think? Every pot smoker I know gets it from someone with a local grow. The popular (and much more lucrative) drugs coming up the I-5 corridor are heroin and meth. You need to update your information.
 @Oregon_University_of_Made_in_China  @badcat I would love to see your source for this information, since I've never heard this before. Sounds like you made it up.
BOOOOOOO! Heh
I have a vision of the bulk bins at Winco, just like in the picture above..
Oh noes they found a plant. I guess 7-11 stock will be dipping a little on this news.
"Â Law enforcement officials say over 250 pounds of marijuana were seized on Tuesday alone, after a month-long investigation into several people associated with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program."
Â
Oh come on. No one abuses the OMMP except these folks.
Â
http://portland.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=ommp&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=
Â
I flag them off when I get a chance. Most are illegal and will eventually get busted. As @PDXBEARÂ says, they make it bad for those who use the program legitimately.
It's people like this that will ruin it for those of us that are legitimate in their needs for relief. They were obviously in it for the money and not the medical aspects.Â
 @PDXBEAR Some would say that the medicinal users have ruined it for the recreational users. Making their use of it a big fat crime. Meanwhile, the 'sick'' or I have an irritable bowl (Big Mac Bowel), I need my weed, think they are fooling people that it's their medicine. It has medicinal purposes and a Whole lot more....