Police in southern Oregon seize 225 lbs of medical pot
GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Police seized three-quarters of a million dollars worth of marijuana and arrested three people less than a week after an undercover officer bought 65 pounds of pot from two people in the parking lot of a restaurant in Grants Pass.
All told, police seized over 225 lbs of marijuana with ties to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.
Additional arrests are pending in the ongoing investigation involving federal, state and local investigators from Oregon and Minnesota.
Oregon State Police said that about a month ago the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension contacted Oregon authorities regarding a marijuana investigation that had ties to southern Oregon.
On Dec. 17, 2009, an undercover officer purchased 65 pounds of marijuana from two subjects in a restaurant parking lot in Grants Pass. The undercover buy led to the execution of three search warrants in Josephine and Jackson counties as part of the investigation. Police said all three locations are connected with the Oreogn Medical Marijuana Program.
At the first location in Williams, Ore., investigators searched a residence and seized approximately 11 lbs of marijuana. Evidence associated with marijuana distribution was also seized, police said. Officers arrested Robert Bell, 46, on susipcion of drug charges.
The other two residences were located in Jacksonville, Ore. At one of the residences investigators seized approximately 131 lbs of marijuana, three firearms and other evidence. Officers arrested Pedro Gavaliz, 49, on suspicion of drug charges.
At the second Jacksonville residence, investigators discovered what officers described as a sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation. Officers seized 48 mature marijuana plants, approximately 20 lbs of processed and packaged marijuana, six firearms (including two assault rifles) and cash.
Police arrested Jacob Thompson, 26, as he left the residence. Police said Thompson was found in possession of 6 ounces of marijuana and a firearm.
Additional arrests are pending associated with both Eastside Road locations.
