Task Force Raids Black-Market Marijuana Grow; Seizes Nearly 5k Plants, $10k Cash; Code Enforcement Fines Property Owner $33k (Photo)

MPD Case #22-7006

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant on a marijuana grow site Thursday morning. The property, located on the 1800 block of Gibbon Rd. in Central Point, contained approximately 4,800 illegal cannabis plants in “hoop-style” greenhouses. The plants were tested for THC levels, seized, and destroyed on site. Jackson County Code Enforcement fined the property owner a total of $33,000 for five separate violations. Investigations determined the property owner was paid $7500 to lease his property for the grow. The money was seized during the search warrant.

This case was the result of a month-long investigation of an illegal/black market marijuana grow site. The primary suspect, Jose Manuel Jaime-Guerrero, 26, of Cloverdale, California, was arrested and lodged in the Jackson County Jail. He has been charged with one felony count each of unlawful possession, unlawful delivery, and unlawful manufacture of a marijuana item.

In addition to the criminal investigation, Code Enforcement and Oregon Water Resources Department District 13 Watermasters responded to the scene to conduct independent investigations. Each agency identified multiple violations that will be addressed by enforcing penalties and fines. Code Enforcement identified five separate violations totaling $33,000 in fines to the property owner. The violations were for 11 non-permitted structures at the site (hoop-style greenhouses), unauthorized marijuana production, temporary fencing within a marijuana grow, using Recreational Vehicles as living space within a marijuana grow, and solid waste. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. 

While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. 

Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.

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